Fenghou

At this time, the warehouse steward brought Chen Qing to the corner, where there were thousands of large long wooden boxes densely piled up.

"That's them."

The steward pointed to the big wooden box and said, "A wooden box is a set of heavy armor, including the soldier's full suit and the horse's vest, which weighs fifty or sixty catties."

Knowing the weight, Chen Qing stepped forward to open a mouthful of the box, and immediately narrowed his eyes. It was indeed a full iron armor, exactly the same as the Iron Buddha armor he seized in Xixia, and even the color had not changed.

Chen Qing immediately ordered: "Immediately send these [-] sets of armor to my camp by boat!"

"I obey the order!" Hu Yanyun hastily went to make arrangements.

At this time, a soldier ran over and whispered to Chen Qing: "Jun Wang, they are all here."

Chen Qing immediately ordered: "Go to the Marshal's Mansion!"

Chen Qing walked to the gate of the warehouse, then turned around and asked, "How much grain and salt are there in the warehouse?"

The steward quickly bowed and said, "Reporting to the county king, there is 40 shi of grain, which cannot be put here. Together with forage and black beans, it has been transferred to the official warehouse. There are about [-] shi of salt."

Chen Qing nodded, turned and left.

……

When Chen Qing entered Taiyuan City today, besides inspecting the heavy armor, he also had to meet two important people, Wang Lianqing, the head of the Wang family of Taiyuan, and Xue Yang, the head of the Xue family.

Not long after, Chen Qing came to the Marshal's Mansion, which was originally the official office of the Xuanfu envoy on Hedong Road, but was changed to the Marshal's Mansion by Jin Bing.

Entering the inner hall, Chen Qing's staff member Pei Xiangjun and the two old men stood up, and the three of them bowed together, "His Royal Highness Joining the Army!"

Chen Qing smiled and waved his hands, "I kept you two waiting for a long time."

A very tall old man stepped forward and said: "Xiaomin Wang Lianqing, I have heard of the great reputation of the county king for a long time, and I am lucky to meet you today."

The Wang family has always been a big family in Hedong. Among the five surnames and seven surnames in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Taiyuan Wang family was one of them. The Wang family produced a large number of talents, such as the prime minister Wang Jin, the poet Wang Wei, the powerful minister Wang Gong, etc., even the Li Tang royal family had to be with them Marriage, Tang Gaozong Li Zhi's first queen was born in the Taiyuan Wang family, the one who was killed by Wu Zetian.

But the current Wang family is no longer the five surnames and seven Wangs in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. It can be regarded as a local prominent family at most, and it still has a little influence in Taiyuan Mansion.

As soon as Chen Qing came, he exempted all the officials in Taiyuan Mansion. Didn't he say that he could evaluate himself?Nothing!How could the Wang family not stamp their feet in a hurry.

Seeing that he was about to kneel down in respect, Chen Qing smiled and said, "You are welcome, Mr. Wang, please sit down, Mr. Zhang is also welcome!"

Zhang Yang is no ordinary official. He was the general judge of the Taiyuan Prefecture. After the Jin soldiers captured Taiyuan, he became the magistrate again. Within two years, he resigned under the pretext of being ill.

In fact, Chen Qing guessed Wang Lianqing's intention of coming, he dismissed all the officials in Taiyuan Mansion, and directly poked the waist of Wang's family, can he not jump to find him?

This kind of situation where local officials are controlled by wealthy families is more common. There are Shaanxi Road, and there are more Xihe Roads. Although Chen Qing does not like this kind of local political situation controlled by noble families, at least at the current stage, he still accepts it. Simple, as long as he has the support of the local nobles, he has the full support of the local officialdom.

In the contest with the imperial court, this point is very important. Simply put, it is to be down-to-earth.

There are dozens of officials in the entire Taiyuan Prefecture, including eight counties and one Taiyuan Prefecture. Chen Qing only appointed the core prefects of Taiyuan Prefecture and Yangqu County. Yangqu County is Taiyuan City, and he appointed all the officials of Taiyuan Prefecture To be dismissed is to let a wealthy family like the Wang family come to ask for oneself, and to ask him to express his support clearly, which is equivalent to beating the Wang family and the Zhang family hard.

Chen Qing said indifferently: "I understand Wang Yuanwai's feelings very well, because Hedong Road is not Sichuan-Shanxi, the imperial court must want to intervene, and the imperial court must want to control Hedong Road by appointing officials. This is how the Sichuan Road imperial court negotiated with me. And the reason of the imperial court is very good. These officials on the East Road were all appointed by Jin Guo. They betrayed the Song Dynasty and were rebels. Thousands of soldiers, worked so hard to seize the East Road, and the court took it away without paying a penny, Wang Yuanwai, Zhang Yuanwai, do you think I can accept it?"

Wang Lianqing and Zhang Yang looked at each other, and they also felt fear in their hearts. They all supported the gold soldiers, money and food, and the soldiers of the Xie Congjun also had their mobilization. If the imperial court intervenes in the East Road, it will be their doomsday. Not only will their power be completely wiped out, Their own lives are also in danger.

The two shook their heads together and said, "Of course I can't accept it!"

Chen Qing sighed: "Yes! It's human nature not to accept it, but there are too few officials under my command, and I had some reserves. After Xixia was destroyed, they were all sent to support Lingzhou and Xiazhou. Therefore, after discussing with the five cabinet members, I decided to adopt a two-way evaluation method. First, let the officials of Hedong Road evaluate by themselves, and then the Supervision Department and the Department of Officials will send people to evaluate. If you pass both evaluations, you can continue to serve as an official. , I just changed the object of allegiance, I don't care whether they have served the Kingdom of Jin, as long as they don't help the evildoers and harm the people, that's the most important thing."

Zhang Yang gave a thumbs up and praised: "Everyone is praising the county king for his tolerance, but now I really realize the county king's heart!"

"Be pragmatic!"

Wang Lianqing interjected from the side: "Everyone hates these officials why they surrendered to the Kingdom of Jin and cursed them why they didn't die? In fact, the officials also have difficulties! They have parents, wives and children, and when they die, what will happen to their parents, wives and children? Of course, they can also flee to the south with their parents, wives and children, but if they run away, what will the people do? They are the parents of the people, how can parents leave their children and escape by themselves?"

Chen Qing said coldly: "Wang Yuanwai's words are shocking! Officials don't want to work for the Kingdom of Jin. Abandoning an official and leaving is a national integrity. Surrendering to the Kingdom of Jin should be held accountable, but I don't hold them accountable, it's just that I am open-minded Just that, it doesn't mean I support them."

Wang Lianqing blushed and said, "The king is right! It's my narrow vision."

Chen Qing said again: "Except for the magistrate and the magistrate of Quyang County, other county officials and magistrates in Taiyuan Prefecture, I need honest and capable officials. I hope that the Taiyuan gentry can recommend some good officials. You can write a joint letter Let’s go! I will listen to ordinary people’s views on them, and if there are no problems, then I can officially take office.”

Wang Lianqing and Zhang Yang were overjoyed, they got up and saluted, "Thank you, the king of the county, for giving us this opportunity!"

Chen Qing smiled again, and said meaningfully; "Our interests are the same in the fight against the imperial court's interference in the East Road, don't you two?"

Chapter 783 Insider

After sending the two rich families away, Chen Qing asked Pei Xiangjun again with a smile, "What has Prefect Pei been up to these two days?"

Pei Xiangjun is currently serving as the magistrate of Taiyuan temporarily. Although the king of the county is a bit joking, he still feels hot in his heart. He really likes the title of magistrate Pei.

"The humble staff these two days are mainly checking supplies, relieving the hungry, and cooperating with military control to restore order."

"Have all the servants come?"

"Reporting to the county king, basically all the clerks and archers of the county yamen have come, but none of the clerks of the government office has come. The government office is actually still a sham, and the humble post is now serving as the county magistrate."

"Why didn't any of the government officials come?" Chen Qing asked unconsciously.

"In fact, the king of the county has also seen it. The key lies in those two just now. Of course, not only them, but also other gentry. Resist the king in disguise."

"Then why didn't the county government boycott it?"

Pei Xiangjun sighed and said, "All the county yamen are here, and none of the government yamen come. Isn't this implying the county king? They are willing to cooperate, but they can also completely resist."

Chen Qing's face darkened, he snorted coldly, he dared to threaten himself, these people are getting impatient.

Chen Qing immediately said to Pei Xiangjun: "Close the gate of the government office and put a seal on it. You will act as the magistrate for the time being. The thirteen kinds of people's livelihood materials are all sold at the Jingzhao price, especially the price of rice and salt. They must be set at a unified price. Violators will be investigated by the army, and this matter will be implemented today."

"Humble post obeys orders!"

……

Wang Lianqing and Zhang Yang left the Marshal's Mansion in a carriage. In the carriage, Wang Lianqing said worriedly: "Isn't it a bit too much for us not to allow officials to return to the government office?"

Zhang Yang snorted, "He said it himself, everyone is out for profit, but he only considers his own interests, why doesn't he consider our interests?"

"But...he is a warlord after all, we have annoyed him, I'm afraid..."

"My dear brother, if you don't fight for this thing, it won't come to your bowl by itself. If he fully implements the pricing system in Hedong and Taiyuan, within a few days, our business will all be over. Wang's rice , salt from the Zhang family, and camellia cloth from several other companies, how is the business going?"

"But, how can we beat him? Brother Zhang, the risk is too great."

Zhang Yang squinted his eyes and said, "He himself said that his opponent is the imperial court. If he must harm our interests, it will not guarantee our cooperation with the imperial court."

"I'm afraid the court will not tolerate our relationship with Jin Bing."

Zhang Yang said coldly: "Then you are wrong. If you can control the East Road, the imperial court will never care about our trivial matters, and will only praise us for taking care of the overall situation."

After a pause, Zhang Yang said proudly again: "Don't worry, I have someone in the court, and the official is in a high position. I have written to contact you."

Wang Lianqing didn't expect Zhang Yang to have secretly contacted the imperial court, so he fell silent for a moment...

Chen Qing returned to the barracks, and immediately sent someone to find the person in charge of the Intelligence Agency in Taiyuan Mansion.

Half an hour later, Zou Hong, the shopkeeper of Sanyuan Restaurant, was taken into the tent of the Chinese army by soldiers.

"Humble post Zou Hong, the head of the Taiyuan Mansion sent by the Intelligence Agency, see the county king!"

Seeing that this short, fat middle-aged man looked familiar, Chen Qing asked with a smile, "Have I met Mr. Zou?"

"The humble job was in charge of the intelligence of Jingzhao Mansion, and reported the situation of Jingzhao to the county king."

Chen Qing was a bit impressed, he nodded and smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, most people can't see your achievements, but I know very well that without your contributions, the casualties of the Western Army would have increased by at least [-] people. "

"It's a humble job."

Chen Qing liked the intelligence officer's modesty very much, and he said again: "Do you understand Wang Lianqing and Zhang Yang?"

"Humble job knows a thing or two."

"Tell me about their situation!"

Zou Hong thought for a while and said: "Wang Lianqing and Zhang Yang are the leaders of dozens of wealthy gentry in Taiyuan Mansion. The officials of Taiyuan Mansion are more or less related to them. The Kingdom of Jin also relies heavily on them. Wan Yanchang hosted a banquet. Both of them are sitting at the main table, so it can be said that Jin Guo was able to secure the Taiyuan Mansion, and they contributed a lot."

"Their influence on Taiyuan is limited to officialdom?"

"Of course not. In Taiyuan Mansion and Ping'an Mansion, almost all the profitable industries are controlled by these gentry. Almost everyone in Taiyuan Mansion knows that the rice tea of ​​the Wang family, the oil and salt of the Zhang family, and the cloth and silk of the Xue family, Most of the grain shops that the king saw on the street were run by the Wang family, and the oil and salt stores were controlled by the Zhang family. At present, the price of rice in Taiyuan City is 120 yuan per bucket, and the price of salt is [-] yuan per store. The promotion of cheap rice salt in Taiyuan will definitely violate their interests."

Chen Qing walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and asked, "Did the two of them do evil things in Taiyuan?"

Zou Hong thought for a while and said: "The Wang family is a century-old family, and they pay more attention to reputation. I have never heard of evil deeds, but the reputation of the Zhang family is not very good. To be precise, it is ugly. Our Sanyuan restaurant was taken away by the Zhang family. It was forcibly occupied by the original owner, and then resold to us at a high price."

"Isn't the Zhang family a century-old noble family?"

Zou Hong shook his head, "The Zhang family is powerful. During Renzong's reign, he made a fortune by reselling the salt of the Western Army. Later, the Zhang family had a close relationship with Tong Guan. It was Tong Guan's recommendation for Zhang Yang to serve as the general judge of Taiyuan Prefecture. The magistrate of Taiyuan took the opportunity to install a large number of his confidantes to serve as officials in various counties in Taiyuan. In the years of Jianyan, Zhang Yang called the wind and rain in Taiyuan, and he was arrogant. The eldest son, Zhang Ming, served as the general judge, and Zhang Yang has been hiding behind the scenes."

Chen Qing nodded, "It seems that Zhang Yang is the official leader of Taiyuan Mansion. Today he and Wang Lianqing came to visit me. I thought Wang Lianqing was the leader of the gentry."

"The Wang family has a profound heritage. It has been a famous family since the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Although it is not good now, it is still very prestigious in Taiyuan. The Zhang family has established a relationship with the Wang family through marriage. Wang Lianqing's mother is Zhang Yang's aunt, and the two are cousins. , but after Zhang Yang became the magistrate of Jin Kingdom Taiyuan, Wang Lianqing seemed to keep a distance from him."

Chen Qing raised his eyebrows, "How can you see that?"

Zou Hong said with a smile: "Zhang Yang's eldest son, Zhang Ming, originally married Wang Lianqing's eldest daughter, but later died of dystocia. Zhang Yang wanted his son to marry Wang Lianqing's youngest daughter again, but Wang Lianqing flatly refused. This happened on the third day of Jianyan. In [-], when Zhang Yang was in the limelight, there was a lot of rumors in Taiyuan City, and there were various theories. There was a saying that Zhang Yang and the Kingdom of Jin colluded too deeply, and Wang Lianqing wanted to keep a distance from the Zhang family. "

"What excuse did Zhang Yang use to refuse?"

"Bazi does not match!"

Chen Qing chuckled, it's really interesting, a disagreement is a euphemism for refusing a marriage proposal, it seems that the Wang family really doesn't want to marry the Zhang family.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and said: "Just now you said that your Sanyuan restaurant is the Zhang family's occupation of other people's property. What exactly is going on? Did anyone die?"

"The humble job only knows that Zhang Tie, the youngest son of Zhang Yang, did it. It happened the year before last. Someone was killed and the son of the original owner died. But what happened specifically, the humble job needs to contact the original owner."

"The original proprietor is still there?"

Zou Hong nodded, "The original proprietor heard that he had returned to his hometown of Wenshui County, and he contacted me at the beginning of the year. He opened another restaurant in Wenshui County, and wanted me to give him the Sanyuan Restaurant brand."

"Go and find out, I want the conclusive evidence of the Zhang family's murder. After the matter is completed, I will recommend you to be the magistrate of Yangqu County."

Zou Hong was overjoyed, bowed and said: "The humble official will definitely do his best to investigate this case!"

Chapter 784 Hesitation

Zou Hong left in a hurry, and then Chen Qing asked the soldiers next to him who were hesitant to speak, "What's the matter?"

The soldiers hurriedly bowed and said: "Report to the county king, Yang Dutong invited the county king to go to the small martial arts arena!"

Chen Qing nodded, got on his horse, and led a group of soldiers towards the small martial arts arena to the east of the camp. When he arrived at the small martial arts arena, Chen Qing couldn't help being startled, only to see that there were hundreds of heavy armored cavalry , holding spears, are lined up neatly.

Seeing Chen Qing coming, Yang Zaixing hurried over, clasped his fists and said with a smile, "I'm reporting to the county king, I'm testing heavy armored cavalry!"

Chen Qing was really interested, so he urged the horse forward, and saw that the cavalry and war horses were all strong and tall, standing there on horseback, like gods and giants, giving people a sense of coercion.

"How to fight specifically?" Chen Qing asked again with a smile.

"I asked the soldiers, and they said that after putting on the heavy armor, they are basically unable to move. They need to train to sit on the horse and hold the spear firmly. The tactics are just one word, go!"

"It's that simple?"

Yang Zaixing said with a smile: "Of course it's not that simple. Charge is the general outline, but there are many tactics for how to charge. These tactics don't have high requirements for soldiers, but they have high requirements for cavalry formation. They may gather or disperse, or form a row, or Grouped together, depending on the specific circumstances of the war, what they have to train is various formations."

After a pause, Yang Zaixing said again: "This kind of heavy armored cavalry is not very effective against Jurchen cavalry, but it will be very effective against the puppet Qi infantry formation."

"How many heavy infantry can be formed now?"

"Currently we have a full set of [-] sets of cavalry heavy armor. It depends on the horses. I made a selection in the afternoon. From the current [-] horses, it should not be a problem to find [-] strong horses. Cao Changchun's The war horses are sent here, they can be used as backup war horses, besides, I have another idea."

Chen Qing listened intently, but in the end Yang Zaixing stopped talking, Chen Qing smiled and said, "Why don't you continue?"

Yang Zaixing scratched his head, and said a little embarrassedly: "This idea just popped up just now, I haven't thought it over carefully, I don't know if I should say it or not?"

Chen Qing smiled slightly: "This is called inspiration, talk about it!"

"Don't we still have more than 3000 sets of iron armor from the Golden Soldier and Black Armor Army? That armor is exactly the same as this heavy armor, it's just painted black. I'm thinking, since there is no vest, then simply form a heavy armor infantry .”

Chen Qing chuckled, "For heavy armored infantry, they need Mo Dao. We don't have Mo Dao."

"It is not necessary to use a Mo knife. It is also possible to use a three-pointed and two-edged knife. It can be chopped or stabbed. Guan Jian must be made of fine steel or iron. We seized [-] catties of fine steel in Xixia last time, which is enough to make it." Three thousand three-pointed two-edged knives."

Chen Qing thought for a while and said: "Preliminary consideration is okay, but I want a practical report. After you return to Chang'an, discuss it with the officials of the Ordnance Department and the master craftsmen. A complete recommendation report to the military department, and the military department will take the lead in doing this, understand what I mean?"

Yang Zaixing nodded silently, "I understand!"

Chen Qing patted him on the arm again, "It's not that I don't take care of your emotions, it's just that we are no longer in Yuezhou. Now that we have a complete government office and system, I don't even have the right to directly appoint the magistrate of Yangqu County." , I can only recommend."

Chen Qing was telling Yang Zaixing implicitly that whether it is to form heavy cavalry or heavy infantry, this is not the power of the general, but the power of the military department. He can make suggestions, but he cannot replace the military department to make decisions.

Yang Zaixing said with a smile: "The king of the county doesn't have to worry about the feelings of the humble officer. The humble officer understands that there are many details involved, such as the salary quota for the heavily armored sergeant, the allocation of fine steel, the manufacture of weapons, the allocation of money and rations, the establishment of a new military system, etc. I can finish it, and I will submit a proposal to the Ministry of War as soon as possible."

……

The ancestral land of the Wang family is in the Wang's Manor outside the city, but there is also a large house in Taiyuan City, covering an area of ​​[-] acres. Originally, the Wang family also had a house in the north of the city, which was razed to the ground after being forced by the Jin soldiers. horse.