Fenghou

"Then what's your opinion?" Lu Xiu asked.

"Of course I agree to send troops, but I suggest that the number of troops should not be too many, around 6000. While suppressing the bandits, a relief team is also sent to cooperate with the local government to distribute seeds to farmers and lend cattle to the government. Arrange for spring plowing.

In addition, the envoy of Xuanfu will come forward and write a memorial to the court. Even if the bandits are rampant, they have threatened the lives of the people in Bashu, so we have to send troops to suppress the bandits. , Do what should be done, and the court will have nothing to say. "

"Okay! You write down your opinion, I will stamp it and send it to Jiang Changshi."

Zhao Qiaoyun immediately wrote an instruction, Lu Xiu stamped Chen Qing's seal, and sent someone to Jiang Yanxian.

……

Chen Qing's 20 troops have already entered Gyeongju, and are marching south along the Maling River Valley. The winter on Shaanxi Road is obviously much warmer than Xixia. Although it has entered the cold winter of December, there is not much accumulation in the valley. Snow and Maling River ice are not too cold, there is no biting cold, and soldiers wear thicker clothes, so they can walk on the ice on horseback.

The 20-strong army and [-] camels stretched for more than [-] miles, and the mighty force could not be seen. The army traveled day and night for more than [-] days. This afternoon, the army finally arrived in Xiping County.

Xiping County is the state capital of Binzhou, and it is also the most important strategic place on the Jingyuan Road. The Jingyuan Road to the northwest and the Maling River Valley to the north meet in Xiping County.

Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Qing ordered the army to camp there to rest. The soldiers took out their marching stoves, briquettes and iron pots to boil water for cooking. With hundreds of fat pigs came to see Chen Qing.

Chen Qing praised them a few words, and then ordered people to kill pigs and send them to the wounded barracks. The lightly injured soldiers were basically cured, and thousands of seriously injured soldiers continued to be recuperated and treated, but most of them were cured. They did not stay in the camp. Lingzhou Prefecture also went south together.

"Xuanfu envoy should go to the city to rest!" Zhizhou Li Houzhi saw that Chen Qing's camp tent was very simple, and he was really uneasy.

Chen Qing smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your kindness. If you have something to tell me directly, I won't go to the city."

"There is one thing that needs to be clearly instructed by the envoy!"

Li Houzhi scratched his head and said: "The humble official has already written a report to Jingzhao, which is actually about the issue of land ownership. Last year, the Xuanfu envoy issued an order to encourage wasteland reclamation, stipulating that the reclaimed land should be owned by farmers, which indeed aroused great reactions. It has also greatly mobilized the enthusiasm of farmers. This year's cultivated land has increased by [-]% compared to last year, but there is a problem, that is, the old cultivated land was left unused because the owner was gone, and some farmers reclaimed these old cultivated land. It is a bit difficult to ask the government to issue a land deed, but the government has this land deed."

Chen Qing frowned and said: "Unowned cultivated land is owned by the government. It is official land. The land ownership is very clear. Farmers can be used as tenants after reclaiming land. At most, they don't need to collect rent for the first few years, but the land rights belong to the government. There is no doubt that the wasteland reclamation order I issued last year also made it very clear that it is to reclaim wasteland, not unowned arable land, and it cannot turn into a robbery of official land."

Zhou Yu, the county magistrate next to him, added: "The key is that the cultivated land has been put on hold for many years, and it is no longer clear from the wasteland, and the farmers don't know it. Once it is reclaimed, we will not issue a title deed, and they will make a lot of noise. There have been several disturbances this year. Now, pouring dung into the county government and state government is simply unbearable!"

Chen Qing said coldly: "There have been thieves in all dynasties. The archers and arresters of the government not only catch thieves, but also maintain order. Those who should be arrested should be arrested and severely punished. They cannot be tolerated. The land reclamation order has principles. , cannot be an excuse for some big households to take the opportunity to seize the land."

Li Houzhi and Zhou Bang were sweating profusely, and said quickly: "I understand!"

Chen Qing also said earnestly: "The land reclamation order was issued in February last year. In March, some people in Chencang County reclaimed unowned land. After discovering this loophole, we issued several decrees successively, including the requirement of continuous farming years, the upper limit of the quantity, and the requirement that it cannot be transferred within ten years.

I remember that I issued a special order last June to prevent this kind of encroachment on official land. It is clear that the property rights belong to the government. If you make it clear and make trouble, then you are making trouble. "

Li Houzhi was ashamed and said: "When I returned from my humble position, I summoned the chief officials of all counties and asked them to send people to the countryside to explain these laws clearly."

Seven Chapters Nine Triumphs

After entering Jingyuan Road, the road was obviously easy to walk. There was a spacious and flat official road, and the army speeded up. Four days later, 20 troops arrived in Chang'an City.

Hearing that tens of thousands of people came out of the city to welcome the army from the Northern Expedition, Chen Qing immediately decided to hold a grand triumphant entry ceremony.

The 20 troops entered the city through the east gate and left the city through the west gate. Almost all the people in the city flocked to the nearly ten-mile-long West Street and East Street. , Some restaurant shopkeepers even picked more than a dozen loads of good wine, and handed bowls to the soldiers to drink up. Every time the soldiers waved their hands in response, the common people immediately cheered enthusiastically. Groups of girls sang and danced to welcome the Western Army. The warrior returns in triumph.

When Chen Qing appeared under the battle flag, the whole street was boiling, "Long live! Long live the Western Army! Long live the Xuanfu envoy!" Countless people raised their arms and shouted, and the cheers resounded through the sky.

A large carriage was parked in front of an alley behind the crowd. There was a gauze curtain hanging on the carriage. A fat man squinted at Chen Qing who was surrounded by his own soldiers. For a moment, he saw Chen Qing's face. , Chen Qing suddenly looked back, his cold eyes seemed to see through the carriage, the fat middle-aged man was so frightened that his heart skipped a beat.

He immediately realized that Chen Qing was accepting the cheers of the people on the surface, but in fact he was extremely vigilant, and he knew every trouble around him.

A few people in black next to them held crossbows and arrows, waiting for the order from the fat man.

The obese man shook his head, "It's impossible to succeed in the assassination, give up!"

A subordinate with a long scar on his face said anxiously: "Boss Jin, this is a rare opportunity!"

The obese man gave him a cold look with his slender eyes, "Do you think Chen Qing is a clay bodhisattva, stretching his neck and waiting for you to shoot arrows? You are so stupid, I think you are not as good as Li Toutuo."

Thinking of the viciousness of the manager, the man with the scar didn't dare to say a word. The carriage started immediately and drove into the long alley.

……

The ceremony of entering the city lasted for more than an hour. The 20 troops left the city from the west gate and returned to the barracks. Chen Qing returned to his mansion with [-] soldiers. The soldiers went to the barracks next to him. More than a dozen personal guards entered the mansion.

His wife Lu Xiu came to welcome him with a pair of children. His son Chen Ji is three years old this year. He is a little shy and hides in the arms of the nurse.

On the other hand, the one-year-old daughter, Xue'er, who was just able to walk, staggered towards her with her arms outstretched, and shouted in a childish voice, "Daddy!"

Chen Qing's heart melted. He picked up his daughter, kissed her face heavily, and pointed to his own face. The little lady had a natural sense of intimacy and familiarity with her father. He swallowed his saliva all over his face.

Everyone laughed, Lu Xiu smiled and wanted to take her daughter, but the little lady hugged her father's neck and refused to let go, Chen Qing laughed, and simply hugged her daughter with one hand and son with the other, Chen Ji blushed and whispered : "Daddy!"

Chen Qing was elated, and walked towards the back house with a pair of daughters in his arms, "Daddy has brought you gifts, let's go back to the room to look at the presents."

The soldiers quietly handed the gift box to Yu Ying, and Yu Ying and Yu Lian hurriedly followed Madam carrying the box.

The family came to Zhao Qiaoyun's confinement room, and the nurses retreated knowingly. Zhao Qiaoyun was happy, but also a little embarrassed, and quickly got up to salute, "My husband is back."

"It's been more than half a year, and I finally returned home. How is Qiaoyun's recovery?"

"At the beginning I was a bit short of energy and blood, but now I have fully recovered, and my eldest sister won't let me go out."

Lu Xiu picked up her monkey-like daughter from her husband, and said with a smile: "If you don't sit still enough, you will suffer from the root of the disease. I am kind, but you don't appreciate it."

Zhao Qiaoyun also smiled and said, "I don't appreciate it, isn't this just staying in the room obediently?"

At this time, Chen Qing's eyes fell on the little daughter in the cradle. The child's eyebrows and eyes were very similar to his own, but more like her mother. His facial features were extremely delicate, and he was a finely crafted little person.

The little girl's nose twitched, and suddenly she burst into tears. Zhao Qiaoyun hurriedly held her daughter in her arms, and gently coaxed her.

Chen Qing said helplessly: "It's probably because the smell on my body has suffocated her. I'm afraid I need to take a good bath."

Yu Ying quickly said: "The water is already boiled."

Lv Xiu smiled and told Yu Ying and Yu Lian: "You two go to wait for your husband to take a bath, and we will share gifts in the evening. You two are indispensable."

Chen Qing was overjoyed, when did his wife become so enlightened.

He was afraid that his wife would repent, so he got up and went out. The Yu sisters were secretly happy, and hurriedly followed.

After they left, Zhao Qiaoyun smiled and said, "Elder Sister broke the rules."

Lu Xiu smiled slightly and said: "Rules are made by people, but also broken by people. Seeing that my husband didn't bring me back a Xixia princess, I will reward him once."

……

After taking this bath for more than an hour, Chen Qingcai changed into a comfortable cotton robe refreshed and returned to his inner study. At this time, Lu Xiu came in with a cup of hot tea.

Chen Qing hugged his wife's waist and sat on his lap. Lu Xiu snorted and said, "I'm not the two of them. Don't mess around during the day!"

Chen Qing refused to let go, and said with a smile: "I want to report to my lady! In Xixia, I promise to keep my body like a jade."

Lu Xiu looked at her husband with a half-smile and said: "Invade the palace, those princesses and concubines are all in your hands, I don't believe you can bear it?"

Chen Qing shook his head, "No really, I let Brother Li Cha break out from the north city gate, and he took away concubines, princesses, princes and some dignitaries. When I entered the palace, there were only a few hundred court ladies and eunuchs left. Let them all go home."

"Really not?"

"I don't have to lie to you!"

Lu Xiu snuggled into her husband's arms, stroked his beard and said, "It's true, my husband is now a prince, and the prince wants to find a woman, so why do I need my consent?"

Chen Qing was startled, "What prince?"

"There is news from Lin'an that the officials have proclaimed my husband the King of Lingwu County, and the envoy is on his way to Jingzhao."

"Their news is quite fast, what else is important?"

Lu Xiu stood up from her husband's lap, took out a thick stack of copies of the documents from the bookcase, put them on the table and said with a smile: "This is the nineteen copies of the documents that Qiaoyun and I discussed and submitted to Xuan Xuan. Mr. Chen, the envoy, if there is something wrong, please forgive me!"

"Even if you make a mistake, I will stand up for you."

Chen Qing took a sip of hot tea, casually picked up the document on the top and read it carefully. Lu Xiu didn't bother her husband anymore, and quietly retreated out.

……

The gift Chen Qing brought back was the treasure chest of Empress Dowager Liang of Xixia, which was found in a secret room in the palace. It was all the personal belongings of Empress Liang. Li Qianshun hated Empress Liang, and after her death, he sealed all her belongings together Brother Li Cha didn't know about the secret room, and Song Jun only found out when he demolished the palace.

Empress Dowager Liang loved jewelry, jade, and porcelain. She collected dozens of large boxes of jade and porcelain alone, and thousands of gems and jewelry. Chen Qing gave all the gems and jewelry to the generals. Prepare to reward civil servants.

He himself also got the most precious treasure box of Empress Dowager Liang, which contained more than 100 pieces of jewelry and jade, all of which were rare treasures, and there were more than [-] sapphires the size of pigeon eggs alone.

If it were not for Li Qianshun's hatred of Queen Mother Liang, these jewels, jade and porcelain could not be preserved intact.

Yu Ying and Yu Lian walked into Madam's room, the blush on their faces hadn't faded, their eyes were full of spring, and they seemed to be well nourished.

Lu Xiu glared at them, "Just make an exception this time today, next time you are not allowed to mess around in the daytime."

"Yes! Ma'am." The two agreed obediently.

Lu Xiu pointed to the two wooden boxes on the table, "There are two sets of jewelry inside. The officials gave you precious treasures. Each of them has twelve pieces. Take them!"

"Thank you ma'am!"

The two picked up the box and retreated. When they walked outside, Yu Lian couldn't help but open the box. Immediately, the jewels were so dazzling that her eyes widened.

7 ten chapters cabinet

Early the next morning, Chen Qing came to the official room and immediately ordered someone to invite Jiang Yanxian, Zhou Kuan and Zhang Miao.

Not long after, the three of Jiang Yanxian came in a hurry, bowed and saluted: "See Xuanfu envoy!"

Chen Qing waved his hands and said with a smile: "The three of you have worked hard in the past six months, please sit down!"

Everyone greeted a few words, then Chen Qing said: "Lingzhou Mansion has been established, and Xiazhou Mansion will be established immediately. Lingzhou Mansion has Zhang Sima in charge, and it is already operating normally. The key is that Xiazhou Mansion is not normal. military control.

I have decided to let Lu Wei be the magistrate of Xiazhou, and then I need to select a group of officials to go to Xiazhou to take up the post. "

As he spoke, Chen Qing took out a job roster and handed it to Jiang Yanxian, "This roster is handed over to the Department of Officials for consideration."

Jiang Yan first took over the job list and looked at it, "The humble job will arrange candidates as soon as possible."

"The Department of Transshipment, the Department of Prosecution and the Department of Supervision, these three directly affiliated institutions must also be put into operation as soon as possible."

Jiang Yanxian frowned slightly, "There are quite a lot of officials in need, why don't we select from Shaanxi Road and Xihe Road first!"

Chen Qing thought for a while and said, "Isn't there a lot of young officials waiting for vacancies in the imperial court? We can also give them a chance to send a group of young officials to make up for our shortcomings."

Jiang Yan shook his head first, "Report to Xuanfu envoy, I don't quite agree with this."

"Tell me why!"

"The reason is also very simple. The imperial court has approved our imperial examination. We also need to take the imperial examination to select scholars and arrange positions. We still have Taixue. Excellent Taixue students also need to be arranged. Now fill up the remaining positions. What will we do next year?

In addition, we can't think too well about the imperial court. Even if they deploy officials, they will never be excellent officials. Instead, they will be problematic officials or officials with bad records. Whether we want to or not will be a headache. Cultivate yourself. "

Zhou Kuan also said at the side: "I want to report to the Xuan Fu envoy, and I want to intervene in a humble position."

"Please tell me the order!"

"Beizhi went to Shangluo on a business trip two months ago, and found that a county magistrate is really a genius. He not only knows the situation in Shangluo County well, but also knows the inventory of various materials in the warehouse of Shangluo County and their whereabouts. The documents are not bad, the thinking is very clear, and the books are very smooth. This person is called Wang Jing. I have already transferred him to the Duzhi Office as the accountant. The humble position means that many civil servants are actually very talented, but they may not It’s a little short, so there is no chance of getting ahead.”

Chen Qing was right when he thought about it, they did have talents, and he didn't need to think about the court, so he nodded and said: "You are right, we have a lot of talents here, there is no need to invite foreign monks to recite scriptures."

After a pause, Chen Qing said to Zhou Kuan again: "Have you received all the property list I sent back with Eagle Letter?"

"Received, there are a lot of them. It took us two days to sort them out. It seems that this attack on Xixia has gained a lot."

"It is indeed very rich. The wealth obtained from the Xixia dignitaries alone requires 50 camels to carry it. There is more than [-] taels of gold in it. What I am concerned about now is how much the total expenditure of this battle to destroy Xia will be?" How much, have we made up for it?"

"We discussed this issue two days ago. The original budget was 940 million guan, but the actual expenditure may be 300 million guan, an overspend of 360 million guan."

Chen Qing frowned, "How could you overspend so much?"

"The main reason is that there are too many people killed in battle, and the pension far exceeds the estimated one million guan. I went to 390 shi."

"What about the income?" Chen Qing asked anxiously.

Zhou Kuan leaned back and smiled and said, "Don't be anxious, envoy Xuan Fu, let me listen to the humble official, from the list sent by the envoy Xuan Fu and the preliminary count at the scene, this war is not counted as food supplies, copper coins or other treasures. The income from gold and silver alone reached 3000 million guan.”

Chen Qing patted his forehead, this number was beyond his expectation, "Are there so many?"

Zhou Kuan smiled slightly, "It is the property of the thousands of camels that Xuanfu envoy said, the property of the Xixia dignitaries, we counted it yesterday at four o'clock at night, there are 380 million taels of silver and 50 taels of gold, which is two Thousands of 400 million guan.

Adding the 120 million taels of silver in the Xixia treasury, according to one to five, it is 600 million guan, isn't this 3000 million guan?I don't count the military supplies, there are millions of coins in copper coins, as well as food, cloth, silk, sheepskin, medicinal materials, copper ingots, pig iron, cattle, sheep, and camels. It is the most profitable business, Xixia's century-old accumulation has been harvested. "

"How come there are so many?"

Chen Qing still didn't understand, "Xixia's national power is at its weakest now!"

Jiang Yanxian said with a smile: "Wealth will not disappear out of thin air. Xixia's national strength has declined, but wealth has flowed from the imperial treasury to the private treasury of the powerful. Re-melted and sold to the imperial court, he earned 300 million guan from this item alone, and [-] camels for the Xixia court to transport supplies were bought from Xia Jinfeng, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, how much gold flowed to Xia Jinfeng Silver? Can the national strength not decline? But the total wealth is not reduced, the Xuanfu envoy understands it!"

Chen Qing sighed softly, "I understand, war is indeed huge profits. Our total income in this war of exterminating Xia is at least 5000 million yuan, not including population and land. If the imperial court finds out, I'm afraid they will really vomit blood .”

The three looked at each other and said in unison: "Of course I won't let the court know."

The three of them discussed the material transportation arrangement again, Zhou Kuan and Zhang Miao had something to do, so they left in a hurry.