Zhu Nao

Chanzhou.

Xie Wuji was reading in the tent, when suddenly someone outside said: "General, Wu Changshi is asking to see you."

Xie Wuji said: "Let him in."

Soon, Wu Cong opened the curtain and walked in.

"General." Wu Cong said with a worried look on his face, "the remaining rations are only enough to last for three days at most. There are already some discussions among the soldiers, and I'm afraid it won't work if we don't think about it."

Xie Wuji said indifferently: "Has the person I sent to collect food from Xue's family come back? Let him come to see me right away."

Wu Cong had a complicated look on his face when he heard the word Xue's family.

Not long after, the people sent by Xie Wuji came back disheveled.

"General." The man said dejectedly, "The Xue family still refuses to pay a penny."

Xie Wuji was not surprised, he just said: "What I asked you to tell them, did you tell them?"

The man hurriedly said: "I said it. I told Xue Gong, the general said that if Xue Gong insisted on not giving it, the general will think of other ways in the future and will not ask Xue Gong for more. Xue Gong was very happy to hear that, and returned Said... Said the general finally got the hang of it."

Hearing this, Wu Cong couldn't help clenching his fists secretly.He didn't know what Xie Wuji's so-called finding other ways was. It was obvious that only the Xue family in Chanzhou could afford the army rations.Unless... it is to let the army fight against the rebels and snatch food and grass from the rebels?But that would not necessarily be successful, and the price to be paid would be incalculable, which would definitely chill the hearts of the soldiers.He really couldn't understand why Xie Wuji would indulge the Xue family like this.

In fact, there are some things that everyone dare not say in front of Xie Wuji, but they have been discussed in private.Now in the army, no one mentions that the Xue family is not gnashing their teeth.

You must know that there was originally a piece of military land in Chanzhou, which was seized by the Xue family in collusion with the government a few years ago.Otherwise, the Chanzhou government should have some military food reserves, and the army's life would not be so sad.Not only that, the Xue family has been oppressing the people for a long time, and the Xue family bears an inescapable responsibility for the turmoil in Chanzhou in Yurou Township.

Moreover, since Xie Wuji arrived in Chanzhou, the Xue family not only did not restrain themselves, but also relied on their relationship with Xie Wuji to become increasingly arrogant and domineering.In the past few months, he has heard several times that the Xue family has committed crimes, and he has also released the vicious incident that they are backed by Xie Wuji's army, which has affected the reputation of their army to a certain extent.

Obviously Xie Wuji is not a soft-hearted person, the military discipline in the army has always been very strict.It is impossible for him not to know that if he indulges the Xue family like this again, the morale of the army will be disturbed and Chanzhou will be lost.But why on earth did he refuse to be tough on the Xue family?Could it be that he really cared about family affection to the point of being confused?

Wu Cong was thinking wildly, but he heard Xie Wuji say indifferently: "Very good."

Wu Cong and the soldiers who had just returned from urging food were taken aback for a moment.very good?good what good?They saw a smile on Xie Wuji's usually indifferent face, which was fleeting and uncapturable.

Xie Wuji didn't answer what was good.He closed the book he was reading, stood up, and took off the armor hanging aside.His personal soldiers immediately stepped forward to help him put on the armor.

Wu Cong was surprised.What is the purpose of wearing armor all of a sudden?

But Xie Wuji said: "Wu Cong, send an order to the Vanguard Battalion to mobilize troops immediately, and prepare to go out with me to hunt for thieves."

As soon as this remark came out, everyone in the tent was shocked.

Wu Cong was taken aback, and quickly asked, "A thief? What kind of thief? Is there an enemy?"

Xie Wuji picked up the helmet, put it on his head, and said calmly, "No. Beg—the national thief."

Wu Cong broke out in a cold sweat instantly.

=====

At this moment, the soldiers in the camp were scattered and chatting everywhere.

Originally, the reserve of military supplies should be a secret in the army, and should not be known to ordinary soldiers, so as not to shake the morale of the army.However, it was not known whether it was because of the recent decrease in the supply of military rations, or the lack of strictness of the military quartermaster, the soldiers had heard that there was not much left in the military rations.

Panic, anxiety, and indignation gradually spread in the army.

Think back when the army first entered Chanzhou, because the Xue family was Xie Wuji's uncle's family, and Xie Wuji was well-known in the army, so the soldiers respected Xue's family when they mentioned it.But now when the soldiers mention the Xue family again, they all hate it deeply.

"I heard that the general sent people to Xue's house to ask for food again today, but Xue's family still refused to sell anything. Damn, let me say something ugly. If there is no one named Xue, can Chanzhou be in such a mess? Army food They were supposed to come out, and we were all cleaning up the mess for them!"

"That's right! When I was patrolling outside yesterday, I happened to come across a son of the Xue family who was robbing a civilian girl. That bastard threw a silver coin to the girl's family and insisted on buying the girl back. The girl's family didn't Ken, when he said he wanted to report to the officials, the person surnamed Xue clamored, saying that they had relatives who were high officials in the court, and that General Xie was also a relative of his family, saying that he could dispatch troops at any time to wipe out the girl's family. I heard After saying this, I almost didn't beat that bastard, and now I'm so angry. I really wish we could withdraw from Chanzhou immediately, and let the rebels smash Xue's house to pieces!"

"I really don't understand, what is General Xie thinking? Obviously General shouldn't be such a person..."

The soldiers were discussing, when suddenly the sound of drums and trumpets came from the camp.

"Pioneer battalion, order troops!"

The soldiers were shocked when they heard that the sound of the drum was an order to go to battle.They thought there was an enemy coming for a surprise attack, so they immediately went back to their tents, put on their armor and equipped their weapons, and went to the school grounds to assemble.

When everyone formed a phalanx in the school grounds, they saw a big maroon horse galloping from the east, and the man on the horse was Xie Wuji himself.

Xie Wu galloped to the front of the phalanx, reined in his horse and asked loudly, "Where are the soldiers of the Vanguard Battalion?"

The 500 people said in unison: "The Pioneer Battalion is here!"

Xie Wuji condescendingly glanced at the phalanx and saw that the vanguard battalion had all arrived, so he said loudly: "The Xue family in Chanzhou today colluded with corrupt officials, occupied the military land by force, and exploited the people. The crimes are obvious. The people of Chanzhou are destitute and their lives are miserable. It is all because of Xue. The rise of the clan, its crimes are displeased by people and gods, and the heaven and the earth will not tolerate it. Now you will follow me to go out to fight for the heavens, and punish the country's thieves!"

There was an uproar in the phalanx like a frying pan.

To kill the national traitor? !

Kill Xue Shi! !

Xie Wuji waited quietly for a while, and waited for the discussion to subside, and said: "Anyone of the Xue family who is taller than one meter tall is a national traitor. Today's expedition, seeing that they have been killed, there is no mercy! There are nearly a thousand servants of the Xue family, and they are also He is an accomplice, but the crime does not warrant death, and those who are willing to disarm and surrender can be captured and brought back alive."

The uproar exploded again.

The disciples of the Xue family will be killed if they see it? !

Xie Wuji said: "Pioneer Battalion!"

The well-trained soldiers immediately stopped their noise and said in unison: "Yes!"

Xie Wuji pulled out his saber and raised it over his head, the blade's edge shone coldly.The sun shone on his delicate face, like a statue of compassionate Buddha.

"Follow me."

The soldiers' response went straight to the sky: "Swear allegiance to the death!"

The birds resting on the treetops were startled by the imposing shouts, and flew away in groups with wings flapping.

=====

A line of wild geese flying in a row from north to south is a sign of warmer weather.

In the Chengdu Mansion, a row of officials stood in front of Yuan Jilu, reporting on their duties.

Yuan Jilu asked: "After the recruitment order was sent out, how is the situation in various places?"

An official sent a list of the number of soldiers recruited from various places during this period of time.

Yuan Jilu took it with full expectation, and after reading a few lines, the smile on Fatty's face froze.The more he looked down, the darker his face became, and finally he slapped the list on the table: "What's the matter, why have you only recruited so few people after so many days?"

The officials trembled in fright and bowed their heads one after another.

One person dared to say: "The governor doesn't know something. In the past hundred years, those who joined the army were either military members or were forced to serve in the army because they violated the law. But among the people, military members have always been regarded as lowly, and soldiers are also regarded as Bitch. Ordinary people really don't want to join the army unless they are desperate...so...there are so few responders..."

Yuan Jilu frowned.After a while, he said, "It's been almost a month since the recruitment order was sent out in such a huge Chengdu mansion, and so many people have been recruited. It's a joke. What can you do to get more people to apply?"

An official said: "Fu Yin, as the saying goes, people die for money, and birds die for food. Soldiers are cheap, but if there is a generous salary, there must be many people who will respond. It is better to increase the military salary, and the applicants should be able to increased."

Another official said: "There is no need to directly increase the military pay. Originally, if someone in the family joins the army, a family can be exempted from taxes for three years. If it is changed to exempt from taxes for five or ten years, it will also attract more people to apply. "

The officials rushed to put forward several suggestions, which in the final analysis were to improve the treatment of soldiers to encourage more civilians to enlist in the army.

However, even though they had an idea, Yuan Jilu was still not happy: "Didn't you guys calculate the salary for recruiting soldiers for almost a month? Why can't you recruit people with this salary now? Then you have calculated it for so long, What is it all about?"

The officials looked at each other again.Recruitment involves all aspects, and there are many contradictions.It is human nature to be inconsiderate.Many things are often done before we know what problems will be encountered, and then correct them according to the problems.This is how the government has always done things.It's just that Yuan Jilu didn't care about things in the past, so he didn't understand the troubles of managing things, and he couldn't tolerate mistakes.

So the officials explained again in a hurry, analyzing the various considerations when formulating the military salary.

Yuan Jilu didn't want to listen to their nonsense at all, so he suppressed his anger and said, "Don't tell me these things. I only know one thing. I need to recruit at least [-] soldiers before the Qingming Festival. You should discuss it yourself. Come see me after discussing it!"

The officials didn't have much dealings with Yuan Jilu, they only knew that he was by no means a soft-hearted person, so they didn't dare to argue any more, so they had to withdraw obediently.

Looking at their backs, Yuan Jilu shook his head and said, "A bunch of drunks and rice bags!" Thinking of Lu Qinghui's bitter face every day, as if someone owed him money, he suddenly understood him a little bit.Whoever dealt with this group of drunkards and rice bags all day would not look too good-looking.A girl with warm and fragrant nephrite is more pleasant,

Yuan Jilu suddenly called out again: "Come here."

Several warriors immediately came to his side: "Fu Yin."

Yuan Jilu stood up with a big belly, tugged at the hem of his clothes, and said, "Let's go, accompany me to the street, and find some fresh ones for a change of appetite."

=====

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

The Chengdu government has been busy recruiting soldiers in full swing, but there is no movement in Langzhou.After Zhu Nao finished the calculation, he took Jing Zhe to the city's market for a stroll.

He didn't buy anything, and he stopped to ask the price of any commodity he saw along the way.After asking, I went to the next store.

After a while, Junao came to a silverware shop.Looking in from the outside, the products in this silverware store are simply radiant, with silk, inlay, bluish and other crafts, all of which are extremely exquisite.

Zhu Nao walked in with Jing Zhe.

"The shopkeeper." He picked up a silver jug ​​inlaid with gemstones, "How do you sell this jug?"

The shopkeeper recognized him, hurriedly came out from behind the cabinet, and said courteously: "Zhuzhou Mu, this pot is two taels of silver."

"Two taels?" Zhu Nao said, "I remember that the silver pots of the same style seem to be sold for only one tael. Has the price increased recently?"

The shopkeeper said: "Yes. These silverware are of excellent craftsmanship, and only craftsmen in Chengdu can make them. My goods are all imported from Chengdu. Recently, prices in Chengdu are generally bullish, and these things have also risen a little bit. It depends on the trend. , and will continue to rise in the future.”

Zhu Nao asked, "Then how much has your purchase price increased now?"

Since Zhu Nao asked the question, the shopkeeper didn't dare to hide it.Besides, Zhu Nao won't come to compete with him for business, so it doesn't matter if he speaks out.So he leaned close to Junao's ear and explained clearly the recent waves of prices.

Zhu Nao nodded and said with a smile, "Thank you."

After speaking, he put the silver pot back to its original position, and left with Jing Zhe.

Before they reached the next store, an official came running from the direction of the state capital.

"Zhuzhou Mu," the officer ran to Zhu Nao and reported, "Commander Yu has returned from Jianzhou, and he has arrived at the state capital."

"Oh?" Junao said, "Understood, I'll go back right away."

……

Not long after, when Zhu Nao returned to the government, Yu Changming was already waiting in the hall.He had just returned from Jianzhou, obviously he hadn't gone back to his residence to rest, he hadn't changed his clothes, and his head was covered with dust.

Zhu Nao casually pulled a chair and sat down: "I'm back so soon, how is the situation in Jianzhou?"

Yu Changming said: "It's okay, it's stable. But there is a problem. There are too many refugees there, and no good resettlement method has been found yet."

After Yu Changming and Dou Ziyi entered Jianzhou, thanks to the hundred majestic and well-equipped soldiers they brought with them, they took over the Jianzhou government with almost no resistance.Dou Ziyi imitated Zhu Nao's method when he governed Langzhou. He first announced tax cuts in advance, and then promulgated a series of policies to appease the people's livelihood.

When the situation stabilized a bit, Yu Changming left the troops he brought back in Jianzhou to continue assisting Dou Ziyi, while he hurried back.

Yu Changming said: "There are too many refugees in Jianzhou, and there is not so much land to accommodate them. If the land is to be re-divided, it will take a long time, and it may cause even greater turmoil. Master Dou temporarily opened He set up a few disaster relief sites and distributed food to the refugees so that they would stop making trouble. But this is not a long-term solution, so he asked me to come back quickly and ask you what arrangements you have for these refugees.”

Speaking of this, Yu Changming showed hesitation.He knew that Chengdu Mansion had already started recruiting soldiers, and once the soldiers in Chengdu Mansion's hands became combat-capable, they would be the first targets to attack.Therefore, Zhu Nao should also start to expand his troops and prepare for the battle.But if you really want to do this, Langzhou, which has just been peaceful for a few years, will be uneasy again.

Although there are elite soldiers in Langzhou today, there are only more than 300 people in total.These three hundred elite soldiers are enough to fight bandits and bandits, but to fight against Chengdu Mansion is just a dream.But it is not so easy to expand the army.

We must know that the current land tax in Langzhou is still the tenth tax set by Zhu Nao when he first took office.Such a low tax made the people of Langzhou rich quickly, but the government was not rich.Recruiting soldiers is a long-term matter. Can they be raised for one or two years, or three or five years?Where will the money for raising soldiers come from?

Just as Yu Changming's thoughts were racing, an official sent out to inform him suddenly.

"Zhou Mu, the account from the grain bank has arrived again."

Zhu Nao said, "Bring it in."

Yu Changming was taken aback: "Bring it in? Do you want to see the account now?" They were talking about Jianzhou.

Zhu Nao said, "It doesn't hurt to look at it now."

Yu Changming frowned in surprise.But since Zhu Nao said so, he has no objection.

Soon, the official came in, holding not an account book, but just a few pieces of paper.After reading it, Zhu Nao got up and walked to the bookcase, took out a booklet, and put the papers in it.

Yu Changming wondered, "What is this?"

Jun Nao handed him the entire book with the papers in it, motioning him to read it for himself.

Yu Changming opened it and flipped through a few pages, and gradually understood: "Is this the price of food in various places?"

Zhu Nao nodded: "Yes. I asked the managers of the non-traitor grain company to record the price changes of various grains in each state every day, and send their records to me every five days."

Yu Changming was taken aback: "Every five days?"

In this way, Zhu Nao is strictly and closely monitoring the changes in food prices in various places through the non-traitor grain line.But what's the use?

But Zhu Nao suddenly changed the topic back: "Go to Jianzhou again, gather the refugees from Jianzhou, and send them all to Langzhou. I will write a letter to Lu Lianshan and ask him to send the refugees from Yuzhou to Langzhou. Send them all over."

Yu Changming was taken aback: "Send them all to Langzhou?? You really decided to recruit soldiers? But there are so many people, and they are all refugees, how to control them? And what to feed them?"

Zhu Nao said with a smile: "There is no rush to recruit soldiers. I plan to recruit workers first. Let these people help me build fortifications, strengthen the city wall, expand the school barracks, mine and smelt iron... as long as they have something to do, There is food to eat, and I am not afraid that they will disturb the law and order."

Yu Changming looked at him puzzled: "Recruiting...work?"

He didn't understand even more.The things Zhu Nao said were indeed preparations before going to war.But it should be done by soldiers after recruitment.What does recruitment mean?After these fortifications are completed, should all the workers be dismissed?Or are you afraid that ordinary people will resist the idea of ​​joining the army, so you recruit under a different name?

Junao didn't explain.He took back the price book in Yu Changming's hand and looked down.

After a while, he spread his hands and said, "Brother Yu, to be honest, I'm not sure. But I think I can take a gamble, because I'm always lucky and have a great chance of winning."

Yu Changming was stunned.What are you betting on?

Zhu Nao said: "If you lose the bet, you will go bankrupt, and even your underwear will have to be paid to others. If you win the bet, you should be able to win other people's underwear."

Yu Changming: "..." What's the use of wanting that kind of thing!

Junao put the booklet back on the shelf, returned to the chair and sat down.He tapped his fingers on the table lightly, but he didn't know what he was thinking.

After a while, he said softly: "It's rare to bet so big, I'm really a little nervous..."

=====

Thousands of miles away, Chanzhou.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, the world was shrouded in blood.

Xie Wuji stood on the high ground, looking at the huge dock covering an area of ​​thousands of hectares not far away.The shouts of killing in Nawubao had been ringing for an entire hour, and now they finally gradually subsided.Soldiers rushed in and out of the dock, escorting strings of captured servants, carrying out boxes of gold, silver and jewelry, and rolling out carts of rice, flour, and grain.

Standing beside Xie Wuji was Wu Cong.From time to time, he looked at Wubao in front, and from time to time he stole a glance at Xie Wuji beside him.

There was a strong wind on the high ground, and a gust of cold wind blew by.Dense goosebumps appeared on Wu Cong's arms again.Just standing here for an hour, he already had goose bumps all over his body.He didn't dare to rub it, and quietly put his hands behind his back, and wiped the cold sweat oozing from his back by the way.

This cold sweat did not come out because of the cold wind on the mountain, but because of Yan Luo standing beside him.

Just two hours ago, he was still wondering why Xie Wuji would indulge the Xue family, but now, he already understood.

Perhaps from the very beginning, Xie Wuji had already planned this day.His indulgence is to feed the Xue family's crimes, and it is to feed the murderous intentions of the soldiers.As for why? ——Even leaving aside the fact that Xue Fu is his own uncle, the Xue family also has a complicated background in the court.But now, he had to kill Xue Fu for the sake of the situation in Chanzhou and for the sake of five thousand soldiers.If the teacher is famous, he can stop Yoyo's mouth.

If Xue Fu was killed today and Xue's family was razed, who would dare not pay the food and wages in Chanzhou in the future?Not to mention Chanzhou, from now on wherever Xie Wuji went, who would dare to play tricks when he expropriated military rations? !Who would dare to play tricks on those who want to get close to relatives and make friends?He even killed his own uncle!

Of these thousands of soldiers, which one doesn't respect him?

Wu Cong swallowed, and wiped the cold sweat oozing from his forehead while pretending to straighten his wind-torn hair.

After a while, several soldiers ran up.

"General, Xue Fu has been arrested. Please let me know how to deal with it."

Xie Wuji turned his head back, and said lightly: "I meant to kill him after seeing him? Why keep him?"

The soldiers lowered their heads and dared not speak.After all, he is the father-in-law of the Xue family and the uncle of Xie Wuji, so everyone has concerns in their hearts.

Xie Wuji looked at their expressions, guessed their thoughts, and said: "Bring him here."

After a while, two soldiers carried Xue Fu up to the high ground.

Xue Fu has always been graceful and rich, but at this moment he couldn't stop trembling, his face was full of tears, and he couldn't speak well, but he kept swearing: "You bastard! You bastard! You are so bold, you are rebelling! I want to let you You are connected to the nine clans, and the corpses are smashed into thousands of pieces!"

When he saw Xie Wuji, he immediately fell silent, showing a complex expression of hatred, fear and despair.

Originally, he still had a little fantasy, hoping that these soldiers who broke into Xue's house to kill were behind Xie Wuji's back, so that his always soft-hearted nephew might come to rescue him.But now his illusions were shattered.

He shivered at first, and wanted to turn around and run away, but was held down by soldiers.He suddenly went into a fit like a mad dog, struggling to rush over and bite Xie Wuji, but he still couldn't move.

"You bastard! You're crazy! If your parents know what you've done, they won't beat you to death!"

Xie Wuji walked towards him calmly.

Seeing that he was ignoring family affection, Xue Fu was so frightened that his liver and gallbladder were torn apart, and said again: "You!! How dare you touch the Xue family's children, the Xue family, Xie family, Lu family, Liu family...all will not let you go! !" He wished he could list all the rich and powerful families who were related to the Xue family, so as to increase the weight.

Finally, there were some waves on Xie Wuji's neither sad nor happy face.He raised his eyebrows slightly as if he heard some funny joke: "The Xue family, the Xie family, the Lu family? Uncle, don't you understand?"

Xue Fu was taken aback.understand what?

Xie Wuji had already walked in front of Xue Fu, and drew out his saber.Seeing the blade unsheathed, Xue Fu's eyes were shattered, and he wanted to say something anxiously, but Xie Wuji had already cut his throat with a knife, making him unable to utter any more sounds.

"Uncle." He bent down, leaned into Xue Fu's ear, and said softly, "The sky is about to change."

The soldiers on both sides let go, and Xue Fu fell down straight, his eyes still open.

Xie Wuji took out a piece of cloth, wiped off the blood on the blade, put the blade back into its sheath: "Order to bury all the corpses of the Xue family's children properly."

The soldier hurriedly said: "Yes."

Xie Wuji turned around and went down the mountain.