After Jiang Mingyu heard Wang Zhe's question, he was slightly stunned, subconsciously touched his forehead, and replied in a calm and polite tone: "Excuse me, sir, do you have any advice?"

Wang Zhe was silent for a moment, and then slowly said: "You and I are well aware of the military situation on the border. When spring comes next year, the enemy will definitely make a comeback, and it will definitely be a fierce and bloody battle."

"Now that Shang Mu's county magistrate and captain are temporarily on your behalf, do you have any proper countermeasures to deal with the invasion of foreign enemies?"

"I understand that it is very difficult for you, a gentle scholar, to take on such an important responsibility. But now I can only wrong you. After all, no one dares to take over Shang Mu's mess." Wang Zhe's tone revealed.

have no choice.

After hearing this, Jiang Mingyu pursed his lips and smiled: "Your Majesty, you are serious. It is the bounden duty of officials like us to protect our family and the country. This matter is not too difficult for me."

"I just believe that the key reason why foreigners are arrogant is that the imperial court's attitude is too weak. If this problem is not fundamentally solved, the war will only get worse." Jiang Mingyu had a serious face and a firm tone.

Wang Zhe frowned slightly, with a hint of severity in his tone: "What do you mean?"

Jiang Mingyu sighed softly and continued to explain: "In every battle in the past, our army has been in a passive defense situation, or even a situation of being beaten. This has inadvertently encouraged the arrogance of foreign enemies and made them think

Dafeng's military strength is empty, so Dafeng's territory can be taken as his own."

"What's even more frightening is that such a passive situation has caused the army to lose morale and lose morale. The last time foreign enemies invaded, only a few dozen cavalry scared away hundreds of soldiers and horses in the Shangmu City Defense Camp."

Jiang Mingyu's tone was calm but firm in every word: "I'm sorry to say it bluntly, but if we want to fundamentally solve this problem, we must abandon defense and turn to offense. Only by allowing foreign enemies to personally experience the iron blood and majesty of our army, we beat them to the ground with corpses lying everywhere.

Only then will they be afraid and retreat when faced with difficulties. Only then will our border be stable for a long time."

After listening to Jiang Mingyu's words, Wang Zhe pondered for a moment and then slammed the table: "Okay! Master Jiang is right."

"If previous county magistrates had had your courage, how could Shang Mu have fallen into this state?" Wang Zhe's tone of admiration was beyond words.

"Come on, let's talk about your countermeasures. What are you going to do?" Wang Zhe looked at Jiang Mingyu expectantly with interest in his eyes.

Jiang Mingyu didn't hesitate at all, and said straight to the point: "Recruiting soldiers, there is no way to repel foreign enemies without a crowd."

"May I ask, Mr. Governor, how many troops came in the largest attack by foreigners that you know of?"

After hearing this, Wang Zhe slowly replied: "The largest foreign invasion was that year, with more than 5,000 cavalry covering the mountains and plains. It was extremely spectacular. The city of Shangmu was destroyed, and both the county magistrate and the captain died in battle. The enemy plundered wantonly and then left. It was simply

It's like entering a deserted place."

Mentioning this tragic past, Wang Zhe's eyes flashed with vigilance and sadness, and the corners of his mouth drooped slightly, as if he had experienced a huge trauma.

After hearing this, Jiang Mingyu pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "Based on this, we need to recruit at least 10,000 soldiers to barely resist the attack of foreign enemies." His tone was steady and determined.

Wang Zhe nodded when he heard this: "That's true. To defeat the foreign enemy in one fell swoop, an army of fifty thousand is necessary."

"But Shang Mu is financially strapped. How can he recruit and train such a large army? Military expenditures will also be astronomical." Wang Zhe frowned, with obvious anxiety and worry in his eyes.

Jiang Mingyu proposed without hesitation: "The situation has become so critical. Why don't you directly request the imperial court for reinforcements and ask the Ministry of Household Affairs to allocate special military expenditures?"

Wang Zhe smiled helplessly, with a sad look on his face: "If the imperial court could provide assistance, how could Shang Mu be reduced to where he is today?"

Jiang Mingyu was confused and looked at Wang Zhe in confusion: "How do you say this?"

After hearing this, Wang Zhe let out a long sigh, and the muscles on his face seemed to collapse: "You should know that the Ministry of Revenue, which is in charge of the imperial court's financial power, is now firmly controlled by the Rabbit Xiang faction."

"The Rabbit Xiang faction and the Crane Xiang faction have always been at odds with each other. This has been an open secret in the court. Unfortunately, I am the disciple of the Crane Xiang."

"He Xiang has lost power in the court. It would be good if they don't add insult to injury at this time. They want to help Wishful thinking."

After that, he sighed again: "So, it is simply impossible to count on the Ministry of Finance."

Having said this, Wang Zhe frowned, the corners of his mouth drooped slightly, and his whole person was enveloped in a depressed atmosphere.

Jiang Mingyu didn't expect that Shang Mu would become like this. In addition to the credit of foreigners, there were so many twists and turns.

What he didn't even expect was that Wang Zhe had an unusual relationship with He Xiang just like him.

In this way, he and Wang Zhe can be regarded as comrades in the trenches.

Jiang Mingyu couldn't help but feel a little happy. With the help of the governor, he could save a lot of things, but he still didn't know why He Xiang lost power.

So he quickly said: "What happened to He Xiang?"

Wang Zhe still had a bitter look on his face: "Master Jiang may be unaware of something. After all, the border is remote. I only found out after receiving a secret letter from Prime Minister He in Beijing..."

So he informed Jiang Mingyu of all the news he had received.

Jiang Mingyu was a little confused after hearing this, but he quickly came to his senses. God is not as good as man, and he thought to himself that it was fortunate that the Holy Emperor had already known about his relationship with He Xiang and entrusted him with the important task, otherwise he would not have known what to do.

The two stood like this for a long time. Jiang Mingyu felt his legs were a little numb, so he moved a few times. Then he spoke again.

After a while, Jiang Mingyu spoke again: "Master Governor, please do not worry. Since it is a foregone conclusion that something will happen to He Xiang, and the imperial court is unable to support us, we can only rely on our own strength."

Wang Zhe asked, "What does this mean?" He frowned slightly, looking puzzled.

Jiang Mingyu paused for a moment and then explained: "Shangmu has very rich coal resources, which you already know. If we start mining these coals and sell them to various places, we can obtain sufficient military expenditures."

"If you, sir, are willing to work together, we can definitely reach a coal trade agreement with the governors of several neighboring counties. When the military resources are not in short supply, training of strong soldiers will naturally come naturally. Foreign troubles will be easily solved, and Shang Mu can regain his vitality."

"As long as the two governors nod their heads and agree, the deal can be concluded. When the military resources are not in short supply, how can we worry about expelling foreign enemies?" Jiang Mingyu's eyes were filled with determination.

Having said this, he said to Liu Yifei who was standing aside: "Miss Liu, you go find Tuxlow and the others first, and I will come later."

Knowing that Jiang Mingyu intended to push her away, Liu Yifei didn't say much, bowed and walked out quickly.

After Liu Yifei withdrew, Jiang Mingyu continued to speak: "If the business is concluded, you, the governor, can also get a share of the pie. When the military strength increases, your prestige will surely spread far and wide. It is just around the corner to be promoted to the next level. In this way, you can kill two birds with one stone.

It's a good thing, I hope you can help me and achieve great things."

After hearing this, Wang Zhe looked slightly hesitant and asked softly: "The foreign troops are strong, are you really confident that you can completely defeat them?" There was still a worried look on his face.

Jiang Mingyu's eyes glowed with enthusiasm and his tone was firm: "As long as we receive sufficient military support and train an army of 50,000, I can issue a military order and vow to annihilate all foreign enemies and beat them to a pulp."

Seeing his confident look, Wang Zhe finally made the decision: "Okay! Mr. Jiang is really heroic, I admire him! In this case, I will fully support your plan!"

When Jiang Mingyu heard this, he was secretly delighted and thanked Wang Zhe again for his support.

Wang Zhe nodded and said, "I will report to the imperial court immediately and issue an edict to directly recruit an army of 50,000 people. Arrangements for the coal trade will also be made immediately."

"But I hope Mr. Jiang will keep his word. Otherwise, even if I have help from my own officers, the military law will not be merciful." Wang Zhe's tone was calm but firm.

Wang Zhe secretly calculated in his heart: If he could really gain huge profits from the coal trade and take the opportunity to be promoted to an official position, this business would be a great deal.

Even if Jiang Mingyu fails on the battlefield in the future, there will be no substantial loss to himself, and he will not lose a single silver tael.

Generally speaking, this plan is very safe for you, but the benefits are very considerable.

Jiang Mingyu bowed respectfully to Wang Zhe and said sincerely: "Thank you, Lord Governor, for trusting me. I will do my best and never disgrace my mission!" After receiving the right to recruit troops, he was so happy that he almost floated to the sky.

He was secretly extremely happy to have the power to recruit troops, as if he had already seen the scene of 50,000 troops wielding swords and with high morale.

Imagining the scene of actually gathering 50,000 soldiers with the imperial book in his hand, Jiang Mingyu was so excited that his eyes shone.

When the recruitment order was finally handed over to him, Jiang Mingyu was so excited that his whole body trembled with joy and sorrow.

As long as this piece of paper turns into 50,000 elites, even if King Qi wants to cause trouble for him, he will have to think twice. Jiang Mingyu secretly smiled in his heart: "King Qi, just grind your neck for me and wait and see, Jiang Mingyu

I'll be here to take care of you soon!"
Chapter completed!