In late May, another batch of ship materials and craftsmen went north from Guangling, passed Kaocheng, and then headed to Mengjin.
Almost at the same time as them, the left battalion of the Silver Spear Army arrived at Kaocheng. After a short rest, they were ready to go to Mengjin.
Sima Pi, the general of the town army, had just returned from hunting and was going to see his mother. When he saw such a large group of sergeants inside and outside the city gate, he suddenly felt worried.
"Are these people really soldiers? How can they be the same as bandits?" When entering the city, Sima Bi quietly asked the right commander Shi Zhao Mu.
Zhao Mu took a look and realized that these sergeants called Silver Spear Zuoying did look a bit like bandits, but not entirely, because they had discipline that was incomparable to bandits.
Even when resting outside the city gate, they are still meticulous and organized. There are strict rules on what can be done and what is not allowed, and the order is in order.
Zhao Mu heard that when Silver Spear Zuoying went out to plunder, it was not a large-scale plunder, but an organized plunder. To put it more politely, he said: send donations.
Most of the time, they forced the other side to collect taxes and then sent them to the camp.
Chen Gong Shaoxun felt that this method of robbery was good for everyone.
They don't disturb the people, they only collect money, and they can pass on some of the hatred. There is no better way than this.
Zhao Mu felt that such an army could not be called bandits. At most, the soldiers were more ferocious and not docile enough.
Yes, soldiers are also divided into three, six or nine levels, which are different.
Some soldiers are particularly docile. You can treat them as slaves without giving them any money or food rewards.
Some soldiers are more fierce and should not be overly humiliated.
The most important thing is to grasp the degree.
An army like the Silver Spear Army cannot be commanded by others. Its personal imprint is too distinct. Perhaps in the future, it can only be passed down between Mr. Chen and his designated successor, and it will be difficult for outsiders to interfere.
"Stop." Horses were placed at the gate of the city, and a group of soldiers shouted from a distance.
"Presumptuous." The coachman said angrily: "This is the general driving the army——"
Before he could finish speaking, the driver was pulled off his horse.
Two other soldiers came forward, opened the curtain and took a look.
Sima Bi and Zhao Mu were sitting inside, looking ugly.
The soldier lowered the car curtain, waved his hand and said, "Let's go."
The soldiers moved away from the horse and watched from a distance.
"Arrogant and powerful general!" Sima Pi cursed.
After cursing, he looked around guiltily to make sure no one heard him, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.
"More fierce than Zhang Fang back then." Zhao Mu sighed.
Sima Pi pursed his lips and remained silent.
Since the Chinese New Year, he seemed to have everything under control again. But later he discovered that this was just an illusion. Many important matters were sent to Xuchang or Chen County by the shogunate, and they could only be carried out after receiving the nod from the Military Chief Chen Gong.
Implementation.
All he can decide are some trivial matters.
Zhao Mu knew what Sima Pi was thinking even without looking at him.
But in this current situation, he couldn't think of any good solution. He could only comfort him and wait slowly.
If it doesn't work, just go back to Donghai Kingdom. At least there are four counties in the country. If you can run a good business, it may not be bad.
"Your Majesty is seventeen this year. The most important thing is to marry the Wang family's daughter." Zhao Mu said.
Sima Pi nodded slowly.
"The Wang family is a wealthy family in the East China Sea." Zhao Mu analyzed: "After marrying a daughter of the Wang family, you can gain the support of the Wang family, and the four counties of the East China Sea will have a firm foothold. This is a retreat, do not ignore it."
"Mi Zihui is the internal history of the East China Sea, do you want to——" Sima Pi asked.
Zhao Mu shook his head and said: "The Mi family has developed rapidly in the past few years. Although it is not as good as the Wang family, it is already the second person under the Wang family. Mi Zi is extremely loyal to the late king, loves his house as much as he loves his family, and will not be bad to the king. With him here
, should be able to balance the Wang family. Your Majesty, you must remember that it is not a good thing for one family to dominate."
Sima Pi said yes one after another, and then asked: "Then Yanzhou is looking at it like this? Shao Xun holds the power, and even the concubine is controlled by him——"
"Your Majesty!" Zhao Mu said solemnly: "There are some things that I have not heard, and your Majesty has never said. The sages have already said that disaster comes from the mouth, so remember it."
Sima Pi's face turned pale.
If the lid is really lifted, Shao Xun will be in a very embarrassed state, his mother's reputation will be ruined, and his fate will be even worse. In Shao Xun's rage, even if he doesn't say anything, if someone lucky enough to get in underneath him tries to figure out his intentions and takes action, he won't be able to bear it.
.
When the car drove outside the house, they saw a large group of sergeants again, this time they were Shao Xun's personal soldiers. After seeing Sima Pi from a distance, they didn't even send anyone inside to inform them and asked them to leave.
Sima Pi and Zhao Mu looked at each other, cupped their hands, and left.
It's one thing to see you when you come, and another thing to see whether you come or not.
This is not for the concubine and Shao Xun to see, but for outsiders to see.
The country's dynasty is based on filial piety, so the scene must be sufficient.
"Mr. Chen can't stay for a few more days and will leave soon." On the way back, Zhao Mu said: "The imperial court has sent people to sail to the Mengjin River to worship the river god and transport bricks. The Huns are not blind.
We must have found out that a big battle is inevitable. Mr. Chen will leave sooner or later, so your Majesty just needs to wait patiently."
Sima Pi nodded slightly.
****
With a loud cry, Shao Xun's third son fell to the ground.
Concubine Pei turned her head.
Sima Mao, who came to visit her, understood and took the child from the hand of the maid and placed it next to Concubine Pei's pillow.
Concubine Pei reached out her hand and carefully touched the baby she had given birth to in ten months of pregnancy, her eyes filled with tears unknowingly.
She suddenly found that there seemed to be a trace of concern in her heart, a concern that was connected by blood and could never be broken.
She used to laugh at Xun Niang for calling her "Jiao'er", but now she found that she also instinctively wanted to give this child a better future, so that he could have a carefree and prosperous life.
The man who had done the evil was still wandering outside. After a while, a maid came out to report, and the hearty laughter suddenly sounded, getting louder and louder.
Concubine Pei smiled as she listened.
Finally I still have some conscience.
Finally, I didn't let her offend me.
Simi Maoyao looked at his son in a daze, his eyes unfocused, and he didn't know what he was thinking.
"Are you still going to Yang Xianrong's place?" Concubine Pei suddenly asked.
Simimao suddenly woke up and nodded.
"Mr. Chen will go to Guangcheng Palace after the new year, will you be there too?"
Simi Maoyao nodded hesitantly.
Concubine Pei closed her eyes and stopped talking.
Simiao Yao was a little restless.
"Do you like children?" Concubine Pei asked softly.
There was no expression on Sima Yao's face, but the subtle movements of her body still betrayed her inner feelings.
She has lived in Guangchengze all year round and has not had any contact with the Wang family for a long time, except when the whole family worships their ancestors.
She is now alone, with no family, no children, and only one sister she can talk to: Yang Xianrong.
"I'll help you," Concubine Pei said.
Simiao Yao seemed to have heard something terrible, and his breathing suddenly became rapid.
She bit her lip and said nothing.
In fact, she took the opportunity to meet Mr. Chen several times, but he treated him politely and didn't even think of taking advantage of her.
"How...help?" Sima Maoyao asked with difficulty.
"You don't have to worry about it." Concubine Pei opened her eyes, looked at the child tenderly, and said, "In the future, come here less and run to Guangcheng Palace more often."
Simimao stretched out his hands, covered his face, and said nothing for a long time.
After standing outside for a while, Shao Xun went to the front yard.
Cai Cheng came in a hurry and reported, "The emperor has sent troops to attack Xin'an."
"Is the emperor crazy?" Shao Xun said in surprise: "How can we fight with only 20,000 to 30,000 imperial troops?"
"The emperor has recruited some more people, there should be fifty thousand people." Cai Cheng said.
"Fishing on dry land." Shao Xun sneered: "What kind of battle can these newcomers fight? Who is the handsome one?"
"Xun Song, the Central Protector of the Army."
"A man who has never commanded an army can actually drive 50,000 people to attack." Shao Xun didn't know how to evaluate it, so he asked again: "Is there any new news from Meng Jin?"
"Dr. Shao didn't report," Cai Cheng replied.
"Shao Du" refers to Shao Fan, the assassination superintendent of the shogunate. He didn't report it, so there was no new news.
The city is already being built on the south bank of Mengjin, and sacrifices to the river god are still being made above Hezhu, where earth, wood, bricks and stones are being hoarded.
"The matter has come to this, there is nothing more to say." Shao Xun said: "Send an order to the shogunate to recruit 5,000 soldiers from Xuchang, 3,000 from Luyang, 1,500 from Kaocheng, and 1,500 from Yingyang, Langling, and Ningping. There are five hundred troops each, and one thousand Dingzhuang each from Xiangcheng, Yingchuan, and Chenjun, totaling 14,000. We will march to Mangshan in Keqi and set up camp."
"I'll write to Lieutenant Wang again and ask for weapons, swords, halberds, armor, bowstrings, arrows and crossbows. I'll also need 300,000 hu of military rations."
"promise."
"The Yi Congjun can set off first and head to Mangshan via Chenggao." Shao Xun then ordered: "Here in Xuchang - how is Mr. Cao's health?"
Cao Fu was ill a while ago and was bedridden for many days. Shao Xun was worried about his physical condition and whether he could support the important task of staying behind.
"I have recovered, but I don't seem to have much energy and am still very sick," Cai Cheng replied.
"When the shogunate was established, Cao Yin was appointed as a lieutenant in the shogunate and also as the prefect of Jiyang." Shao Xun said.
Cao Yin is the grandson of Cao Fu. He is currently serving as a wine minister in the East Pavilion of the Yanzhou shogunate. After serving as a lieutenant, his rank rose to a level higher than that of Qianshi. After he also became the prefect, his power became even greater.
There is no doubt that this is a show of goodwill to Uncle Cao, and it can even be said to be a reward.
Shao Xun still wanted Cao Fu to serve as a stay-at-home officer for a time, because he found that the old man had a clear mind and rich experience. At critical moments, he was calm in the face of danger and knew what to do and what not to do.
As for the Yanzhou shogunate, there were Zuo Chang Shi Pan Tao, Zuo Sima Pei Shao, and Zhonglang Pei Miao, so he felt relieved.
To be more precise, he felt reassured about Concubine Pei.
If a woman is willing to follow you and bear children for you without any explanation, what else is there to worry about?
"Let He Lun, Liu Qia, Tang Jian, and Man Heng come to the city at night to test the city. I have something to say to them."
"promise."
"Over there in Qingzhou -" Shao Xun said again: "We will use Yang Jian as the supervisor of the Xuchang shogunate to inspect Mount Tai, Lu and Jibei."
The two prefectures of Taishan (Yanzhou) and Lu (Yuzhou) have been controlled by the Yang family for several years. Their power is deeply rooted and they are as organized as iron barrels.
Shao Xun is not very satisfied with this, but the Yang family can help you hold it in one direction, so just have fun and don't think too much.
This time, don’t we have to rely on others?
"Invite Lu Yuzhou to come again, I will wait for him in Kaocheng." Shao Xun finally gave the order.
Cai Cheng wrote them down one by one, and then sent someone to pass on the order.
Chapter completed!