Fenghou

Chen Qing nodded, and smiled at Zhou Kuan: "This Zhang Yuxuan really has a heart."

Zhou Kuan laughed and said, "His Royal Highness, he is actually Zhang Jun's chief steward."

"Jiangzhi County, is that so?" Chen Qing smiled slightly.

Jiang Wenhui blushed and nodded, "Indeed!"

Chen Qing looked at the county seat and asked, "How big is the county seat and how many people are there?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, the county has a perimeter of 30 people, and the entire Dangtu County has a population of 10."

"The population is not small, and the county is also very large, not bad!"

"Reporting to Your Highness, Dangtu County was originally the seat of the Taiping Prefecture Government Office. Because Wanyan Nianhan went down from Wuhu Lake to attack Jiangnan a few years ago, the imperial court paid unprecedented attention to Wuhu and moved the prefecture to Wuhu County. There was a lot of population loss. In fact, Dangtu Counties can also go to Taihu Lake by boat from the Yangtze River.”

Chen Qing was surprised: "Is Dangtu County also available?"

"There is a river called Gushu River in Dangtu County. It is an extremely beautiful place. Li Bai has a poem: 'The waves turn over the shadows of the dawn, and the banks overlap with the scenery of spring mountains.'"

"Yes, where is the river?"

Jiang Wenhui pointed to the west, "It's just a few miles to the west, maybe His Highness didn't notice that Gushu Creek connects the Yangtze River and Danyang Lake, and Danyang Lake connects Lishui, so you can go directly to Gushu Creek from the Yangtze River by boat. In Lishui, many fishermen take this small river to enter the Yangtze River.”

Chen Qing smiled faintly: "The Gushu River you mentioned is just a small river?"

"If the silt is dredged, there will be no problem for a cargo ship with two thousand shi."

Speaking of dredging, Chen Qing remembered something, pointed to the west side of the pier and said: "There is a long section of the pier over there where boats cannot be parked, does it also need to be dredged?"

Jiang Wenhui smiled wryly and said, "The county government has many plans, but it's financially strapped, and it can't provide any money, and the higher-ups are unwilling to allocate money. There is really no way."

Chen Qing nodded, pointed to the buildings and vegetable fields around the pier and asked, "Who owns this large piece of land around the pier?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, it is all government land, which is rented out to farmers to grow vegetables, and the inns and restaurants over there are also owned by the government."

"That's just right. Zhang Yuxuan said yesterday that Wei's Commercial Bank is going to buy all the land around the pier and the pier, and the county will have a lot of income, so you can have money to dredge the port and rivers."

"But... the wharf is all bought, what should the common people do when they go out?"

"There will definitely be a pier for people to travel, so you don't have to worry about it."

Jiang Wenhui knew very well that the Wei's firm must be the King Yong who wanted to buy the land. Needless to say, King Yong made a deal with the Marshal, and Dangtu County was going to become King Yong's territory.

Although he knew it in his heart, he couldn't say that he belonged to Zhang Jun. If the news leaked out, Zhang Jun would be the first to spare him.

"Buying land is very convenient and can be done at any time."

……

Chen Qing ordered Facao Feng Qianming to take dozens of men to stay to measure the land and handle land purchase matters. He also saved 3000 yuan in Baoji Cabinet Square in Wuhu County for land purchase, wharf repairs, warehouse building, etc. At the same time, Wang Qing was appointed as the patrol envoy of the eastern section of the Yangtze River, and led [-] people to be stationed in Dangtu County as the commander of the Shaking Army.

Soon, Zhang Jun also appointed Wang Qing as the Yangtze River patrol envoy of the Shaking Army, leading a hundred large ships to patrol the Yangtze River. This is a typical team with two brands. The entire Taiping Prefecture is Zhang Jun's defense line. Zhang Jun In his jurisdiction, he covered the sky with one hand, even if someone in the county found out the clues, there was no evidence, and no one dared to report the matter.

But what Chen Qing didn't expect was that Zhang Jun was on the north bank of the Yangtze River opposite Wuhu at this time, waiting for news from Zhang Yuxuan on a [-] stone passenger ship.

At the same time that Chen Qing arrived in Dangtu County for inspection, Zhang Yuxuan also boarded the passenger ship and met the commander-in-chief Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun motioned his nephew to sit down, and asked with a smile, "How is it?"

"My nephew met King Yong yesterday."

"King Yong?"

Zhang Jun sighed softly, "Leading an army of [-] to Lin'an, did he become King Yong? The court really does not accept softness! No wonder Liu Guangshi also wants to separate the regime."

Sighs are sighs, Zhang Jun is more concerned about his deal with Chen Qing now, he is too dependent on kerosene now, in fact he still has [-] barrels in stock, but he still wants to keep [-] barrels in stock to make him feel at ease a little.

Moreover, what Chen Qing sent was crude oil, and he had to remove impurities and purify it into fierce fire oil before it could be ignited for use, and the [-] barrels had to be reduced by at least [-]%.

He looked at the agreement signed by both parties and said with a smile, "Did he still choose Dangtu County?"

"My nephew guesses that he has taken a fancy to Jiangxin Island, so he can garrison troops on Jiangxin Island."

"It's up to him, I promised, he can garrison 3000 troops in Dangtu County."

"My nephew is a little worried. Once someone informs, will it..."

Zhang Jun sneered, "Those [-] troops are my Shaking Army. Who dares to talk nonsense. At most, Chen Qing leased the Dangtu Wharf as a transfer. This is for civilian use, and it is different from the army. It is completely different in nature."

Zhang Yuxuan said shamelessly, "It's my nephew who thinks too much."

Zhang Jun glanced at him and said calmly, "Do you think I really need that [-] barrels of kerosene?"

Zhang Yuxuan was startled, "Ah! Isn't it?"

"You're still a little too tender."

Zhang Jun snorted and said: "I'm actually looking for an opportunity to form a good relationship with Chen Qing. I asked him to garrison and took the risk for him. He owed me a favor. I didn't take the risk. Where did the favor come from?" ?”

Only then did Zhang Yuxuan suddenly realize that he just said it!Uncle has never done business at a loss. To take such a big risk for [-] barrels of kerosene this time is to give up Dangtu County to Chen Qing without telling the court. Once he is reported, the consequences will be disastrous.

This is not in line with my uncle's style of doing things. It turns out that my uncle is not doing business at all, but to build a relationship with Chen Qing.

Chapter 874 Transfer Letter

Chen Qing returned to Wuhu County in the afternoon. As soon as he arrived in Daying, he got the news that Zhong Huan, who was sent by Zhou Kuan to Lin'an, had returned, and brought back Dong Qun, the Lin'an intelligence leader.

In the big tent of the Chinese army, Chen Qing received Zhong Huan and Dong Qun.

Zhong Huan bowed and said: "His Royal Highness, the matter of Zheng Dutong is very secret. The general officials don't know about it, and Dong Guanshi has never heard of it. Later, Beizhi met Zheng Dutong's father in the newspaper office, and he told Beizhi that the matter was true. Tianzi Langchao also interviewed him, saying that he was encouraging him to make persistent efforts to persuade Zheng Dutong to surrender, but in fact he was forcing him. Uncle Zheng Guo said that the pressure was very heavy, but it was really impossible, and he wanted to go overseas to hide.”

"With a newspaper in hand, why go overseas and hide?"

Chen Qing asked again: "How's the newspaper situation?"

"It's already normal. It's called Lin'an Beijing News. About [-] copies are published every day, and the number is still increasing."

Chen Qing nodded, "I'll write a letter later, and if you give it to him, he will know what to do."

"Humble post obeys orders!"

Chen Qing asked Dong Qun again: "What's the news about Dong Yuhou?"

"The news brought by the humble job is about the negotiation between Song and Jin. Wan Yanchang has been in Lin'an for nearly half a month, and has been putting pressure on the court to ask Song and Jin to jointly destroy the Sichuan-Shaanxi Army as a condition for the two sides to reach a long-term armistice agreement. I heard that the emperor was unwilling to join forces to attack Sichuan and Shaanxi at the beginning, but I heard that Qin Hui, the queen mother, Zhu Shengfei and others had been persuading the emperor, and the emperor was a little shaken.

Zhou Kuan said in surprise, "It's really rare for the emperor to resist for more than half a month!"

Chen Qing sneered and said: "He is very sober, if he dares to be my enemy, the previous edict of abdication will be invalidated, and another Great Song Dynasty will appear."

Zhou Kuan pondered for a moment and said: "But Qin Hui and others persuade him again and again, and he will definitely compromise in the end. After half a month, he still hasn't come to a conclusion, which shows that the emperor himself is also hesitant. Your Highness, we have to help him. "

Chen Qing walked a few steps with his hands behind his back, and said to Dong Qun: "You take two letters back, one letter is from me to the emperor, you give it to Mr. Give it to the newspaper!"

Chen Qing said to Chong Huan and Dong Qun: "Don't worry about Zheng Dutong, it will take a month or two to see the results. You should focus on protecting the newspaper. Someone will threaten the newspaper, of course not." Officials, you have to be ruthless in your attacks, whoever dares to harass the newspaper will be killed without mercy, and if it is found out who attacked the newspaper, go back and show them some color."

The two bowed together and saluted, "Follow the order!"

Chen Qing immediately wrote several letters and handed them to the two to take away, and the two hurried away with their subordinates.

Chen Qing then said to Zhou Kuan: "Tomorrow morning, I'm afraid I'm going to go back, please stay in Dangtu for a month or two longer, and finish the affairs of Dangtu. In addition, please pay attention to Lin'an. , must not allow the Song-Jin alliance to be achieved."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will do my best!"

……

In the early morning of the next day, Chen Qing led the army and finally left Wuhu. More than [-] troops divided into land and water marched towards the west in a mighty way. I went to Dangtu County and stayed in Dangtu to complete the cooperation with Zhang Jun.

In Lin'an, Xu Xiantu came to Lu Yihao's mansion early in the morning, and Lu Jin took him to the guest hall, where Lu Yihao was already waiting for him.

"I'm inconvenient in my legs and feet, so I can't go out to greet you. Please forgive me, Governor Xu."

"Where! It's really gratifying to see Duke Lu in good health."

The two exchanged a few words of greeting, and divided the guests and hosts into seats. Xu Xiantu asked with concern: "I heard that Qingshan is going to work in Sichuan and Shaanxi. Is it true?"

Lu Yihao said indifferently: "Is this what the officials want to ask, or is Mr. Xu himself interested?"

"The officials don't know about it yet, but I'm just asking."

Lu Yihao said calmly: "Qingshan is only in his fifties, and he is in his prime. Since the court does not use him, it is not bad for him to go to Sichuan and Shaanxi to find opportunities. But I heard that many officials who are sitting on the bench are going to Sichuan and Shaanxi. is that true?"

Lu Yihao's implication is that there are many idle officials going to Sichuan and Shaanxi, so don't just stare at Lu Qingshan.

Xu Xiantu sighed and said: "This time Chen Qing came to An, although it was not long and he left soon, it had a far-reaching influence. Many officials looked down on Chen Qing before, and always felt that he was a local warlord and could not be successful, but now many people They all suddenly became enlightened, submitted their resignations to the Ministry of Officials, and went to Sichuan and Shaanxi with their families. As far as I know, if Qingshan is included, 27 officials have resigned, and the number is still increasing."

"What is the official's attitude?"

"No one dared to tell the emperor about this. The key point is that almost all the people who left were idlers. Everyone escaped from the north through untold hardships, but there was no real job for them. Some people have been sitting idle for six or seven years. With a meager salary and expensive house prices in Lin'an, I can only rent the cheapest thatched cottage to live in. I live in poverty, and I can bear it at first, but after a long time, no one can bear it, so I can leave if I want to! Everyone has a tacit understanding to affect the government, just turn a blind eye to this matter and pretend that you don’t know about it, you won’t tell the emperor, you’re asking for trouble.”

Lu Yihao drank the tea and asked again: "I heard that the Kingdom of Jin is going to return the Central Plains to the Song Dynasty. Is it true?"

"This is the new condition proposed by Wan Yanchang. If Song and Jin join forces to destroy Chen Qing, Jin will not only return Sichuan and Shaanxi to Song, but also return the Central Plains including Bianliang to Song."

"Then, are the officials tempted?"

"The official did not express his position, but he was firmly opposed to joining forces with Jin Guo to deal with Chen Qing before, but now he has not expressed his position. I think the official's attitude is obviously a little loose."

Lu Yihao pondered for a moment and said: "About the situation in the Central Plains, we have repeatedly discussed the situation in the Central Plains a few years ago. Everyone knows the situation in the Central Plains. It can't be worse. Can the government's finances afford it?"

"I have also persuaded the officials. The officials are not interested in the Central Plains. It seems that they are more concerned about Sichuan and Shaanxi."

Lu Yihao shook his head, "Even if Chen Qing is annihilated and Sichuan and Shaanxi are captured, will the Kingdom of Jin give Sichuan and Shaanxi to us? It's too simple to think, and I'm afraid the Great Song Dynasty will be in danger of destroying the country at that time."

Xu Xiantu sighed, "We all know this truth, but some people don't cry when they don't see the coffin."

Lu Yihao didn't talk further, he took out a letter, put it on the table, and pushed it to Xu Xiantu.

Xu Xiantu was startled, "This is..."

"This is Chen Qing's handwritten letter to the official family. He entrusted someone to give it to me. Mr. Xu will give it to the official family for me!"

Only then did Xu Xiantu understand why Lu Yihao asked him to come here. It turned out that it was Chen Qingyou who sent the letter to the officials.

"Okay! I'll hand it over to the officials."

"Mr. Xu, please tell the officials that the letter is original. I haven't read it. I don't know what's inside."

"Understood! I will tell the officials."

Xu Xiantu picked up the letter and left...

As Lu Jin sent Xu Xiantu away, a boy delivering newspapers came running over, "Master Lu, today's newspaper!"

Lu Jin took the newspaper, rewarded the boy with a few pennies, opened the newspaper and read it carefully in the sun, he suddenly said, "Ah! ' With an exclamation, he turned and walked quickly towards the mansion.

Walking to the atrium, I happened to see two young servants supporting his father to come out.

"Father!"

Lu Jinyang shouted today's newspaper: "You read today's newspaper!"

Lu Yihao told the boy to stop, and took today's newspaper. He was also stunned by the headlines on the front page.

The Song and Jin Dynasties discussed killing the righteous, and the father and son cried blood and said Jingkang. '

This topic was so eye-catching, Lu Yihao almost finished reading it in one sitting, and he knew that the Song and Jin joint efforts to destroy the Western Army were completely over, and this report was enough to turn the entire Lin'an upside down.

Chen Qing's move was ruthless enough.

Chapter 875 Public Opinion

Xu Xiantu came out of Lu's Mansion and returned directly to Da Nei in a carriage. He had Chen Qing's handwritten letter to the Son of Heaven in his hand, and he dared not delay it.

When I came to the imperial study, I happened to meet Li Guang reporting the income from the salt tax to the officials. The salt tax is now the largest tax in the imperial court, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers depend on it for their military salaries and supplies.

However, the salt tax in the first half of this year actually dropped by [-]% compared with the same period last year, which made Zhao Gou a little restless.

Zhao Gou was furious and said: "Immediately investigate the reason. If it is selling illegal salt, immediately arrest the salt dealers, behead them all, and confiscate their property to make up for the loss of salt tax!"

"Wei Chen immediately went to find out the reason!"

Li Guang couldn't sit still anymore, got up and left.

Zhao Gou paced around the room distractedly, Xu Xiantu persuaded: "Your Majesty, don't worry, as long as you find out the reason and take measures to make up for it, the loss will not be too great."

Zhao Gou sighed and said: "This financial problem has made me physically and mentally exhausted. I can't eat well all day long, and I can't sleep well. I sleep thinking about where to get money. When will I stop worrying about money?"

"Your Majesty, I think that Chen Qing's approach is right. He is also tight in finances and taxes, so he conducts foreign trade as an official and businessman. It is said that he can get high profits. We can follow suit and open ports in Guangzhou and Mingzhou, and then Lease a cargo ship to go to sea.”

Zhao Gou nodded, "This plan is not bad. Let's discuss it later in the Political Affairs Hall. We will also set up an official trade organization to carry out official business trade. Not only overseas trade, but also internal trade should be vigorously promoted. I want to make a profit, and make a profit as soon as possible!"

"Weichen will keep an eye on this matter!"

Xu Xiantu took out a letter and put it on Zhao Gouyu's case, "Your Majesty, this is a letter from Lu Yihao to my minister just now, and it is a letter written by Chen Qing to His Majesty."