The boat ran aground on the rocks and something happened.
I need support from my brothers!!!
~~~~~~
In the side hall on one side of the study, Yan Jizu sat on the soft couch with an expressionless face, gently looking at the decorations around him.
After all, Liu Ruyi came from a later generation and was not used to the purely wooden furniture and various daily necessities of the Ming Dynasty. Just like the soft couch Yan Jizu was sitting on at this time, Liu Ruyi ordered the craftsmen to carefully make it!
This is not different from the traditional wooden furniture of the Ming Dynasty, but is modeled after the sofas of later generations. The frame is supported by solid wood, and the inside is filled with various soft animal furs and cotton. When you sit on it, it is extremely soft and comfortable!
On both sides of the soft couch, there are two exquisite wooden tables about less than one meter high. Sitting on the soft couch, you can easily reach the desserts and teas on the table by gently stretching your hands. This is unusual for Ming Dynasty officials.
The furniture in the mansion should be more humane and much more comfortable!
On both sides of the wooden table, there are several pots of delicate orchids. Although it is already winter, the fire pot is always lit in the room, which is warm and pleasant. The light yellow petals are blooming gently, and the fragrance is delicious!
Yan Jizu gently sniffed the fragrance of the orchid, then leaned on Ran Ta beside him, closed his eyes and rested his mind.
As the saying goes, 'Watch a person's words and you can check his actions!'
Passing through the exquisite decorations in this side hall, Yan Jizu knew that the gap between him and Liu Ruyi was already unfathomable!
Once upon a time, in Yan Jizu's eyes, Liu Ruyi was just a slightly stronger ant. He could come and go as soon as he was called, and he could do whatever he wanted!
At that time, not only could Liu Ruyi not complain, but she might even be proud of being able to serve the governor!
But now, things have already changed!
The entire land of Shandong, except Denglai, is almost completely controlled by Liu Ruyi's forces!
Although Yan Jizu was the governor of Shandong and a high-ranking member of the imperial court, his influence was firmly limited to the governor's office. Outside the governor's office, even the top soldiers of the Caishi Army would not buy him as governor.
Your Majesty's Account!
Regarding this, Yan Jizu was once angry and excited and wanted to break away. However, after he tried several times, he found that it would not have any effect at all. Instead, he became the laughing stock of others!
Although Liu Ruyi strictly restricted his actions on the political level, he was never ambiguous on the economic level. The annual dividend of 100,000 taels of silver from dry shares was enough to keep Yan Jizu's family well-fed, clothed, and clothed!
Gradually, as time passed, Yan Jizu also accepted his fate!
In this land of Shandong, a small arm cannot twist a thigh after all! Instead of causing trouble for yourself and your family, where can you be as carefree as you are now?
What's more, when the Qing army looted Shandong, he should have abdicated in favor of talents?
However, what Yan Jizu did not expect was that his forbearance not only did not leave a useless impression in the court, but also won unanimous praise from Emperor Chongzhen and the senior ministers because of the stability of the situation in Shandong!
Just the day before yesterday, Emperor Chongzhen's trusted eunuch Cao Huachun personally went to the governor's office in Jinan City to declare an edict to promote Yan Jizu to the rank of Bachelor of Wenhua Pavilion and continue to serve as governor of Shandong!
However, as the saying goes, 'For good fortune, misfortune depends on it; for misfortune, blessing depends on it!'
Behind this big pie, there is a secret decree from Emperor Chongzhen...
~~~~~~
"Haha! Governor, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you today? Ruyi is busy with military affairs and has never had time to visit the governor. I hope that the governor will respect you!" At this time, Liu Ruyi walked out of the study with a smile.
He came out and raised his hands to Yan Jizu, interrupting his deep thoughts.
Yan Jizu hurriedly raised his hand, cupped his hand and said with a smile: "General Liu fought for our Ming Dynasty and made countless contributions. For me, state affairs are no more important than this!"
Liu Ruyi smiled and helped Yan Jizu sit down on the soft couch while he sat on the other side of the soft couch.
"The governor has really misunderstood Ruyi! In Ruyi's eyes, the governor is no different from Ruyi's mentor. Unfortunately, there is war in the Ming Dynasty. If Ruyi wants to stay quietly for a while, he may not be able to help himself!" Liu
Ruyi looked into Yan Jizu's eyes and smiled.
Yan Jizu nodded with deep understanding, "The times are bad! The times are bad! Ruyi, in the final analysis, Shandong's current stable situation depends on you! I am getting old, haha, I can't accept it anymore!"
After Yan Jizu finished speaking, he smiled awkwardly at Liu Ruyi.
Liu Ruyi couldn't deny it and smiled slightly, "Mr. Governor, you and I have been old friends for many years! Ruyi also has great respect for the Governor! There is no need for such nonsense between us, right? Haha!"
Liu Ruyi waved her hand, and the pretty maid served him tea, which had a pleasant fragrance.
Seeing Liu Ruyi's casual and sincere look, Yan Jizu calmed down a little, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then said: "Ruyi, I'm telling you the truth! I really have something to do when I come here this time!"
"Oh?" Liu Ruyi glanced at Yan Jizu, "If you wish, listen to the details!"
Yan Jizu put down his teacup and sighed softly, "Ruyi, I believe you already know something about the situation in the Central Plains! At the moment, Li Zicheng has gathered 400,000 refugees to besiege Luoyang City. Luoyang City is already in danger! The imperial court has been in the Central Plains area again.
We have no usable soldiers! The only one we can count on is our Shandong army, your Colored Stone Army!"
Yan Jizu carefully looked at Liu Ruyi's face and saw that Liu Ruyi didn't react much, so he hurriedly said: "Ruyi, you also know that Luoyang is the vassal territory of Prince Fu! And the emperor and Prince Fu are connected by blood, we, we...
…”
Liu Ruyi breathed a sigh of relief, looked into Yan Jizu's eyes and said: "Master Governor, Ruyi has indeed understood some of what you said! However, our Caishi Army has just returned from Liaodong and is exhausted.
We no longer have the strength to send troops! From the imperial court, the rewards for Liaodong have never been received! The soldiers are also looking forward to it in their hearts!"
"Hey! Ruyi! I know you are in a difficult situation! But the court, the court is even more difficult now! The military expenditure in Liaodong has almost exhausted the national treasury! Now, thieves are everywhere in the Central Plains, Huguang, and Sichuan! This
At this time, I'm afraid the imperial court really won't be able to come up with any money!" Yan Jizu sighed.
Liu Ruyi couldn't help but sneer, "Sir Governor, the imperial court has no money, but the sons of our Caishi Army have to eat and drink, right? There are always parents, wives and children to support, right? In this expedition, our Caishi Army suffered more than 2,000 casualties.
, they are all eagerly waiting for the pension money from the court!"
Yan Jizu was a little embarrassed. He knew that what Liu Ruyi said was true!
Moreover, Liu Ruyi had just returned from Liaodong and less than ten days after his return. He came to visit anxiously, hoping that Liu Ruyi would send troops to the Central Plains. This was really unkind!
But things have reached this point, and Yan Jizu has no choice but to bite the bullet and continue to explain: "Ruyi, I know it's difficult for you! Hey! But it's difficult for the court too! In this situation, only you can save the Central Plains.
The fire is on fire! Otherwise, if Li Zicheng gains power and spreads the war to Shandong, then we will be the ones who suffer the consequences, right?"
"Haha! Don't worry, Governor! Li Zicheng is a rogue! If I lend him ten more courage, he won't come to Shandong! Our land in Shandong is impregnable!" Liu Ruyi said domineeringly.
This is not Liu Ruyi's bragging. The Caishi Army fought fiercely with the Xianthi tribes several times in the Central Plains, but Li Zicheng saw it clearly!
In addition, the Caishi Army had just achieved a great victory against the Qing Army in Liaodong and was at its peak. As long as Li Zicheng did not take the wrong medicine, he would never rush to attack Shandong!
His roots are in northern Shaanxi and Henan, and that is his key point!
"Ruyi, this, this? Really, is there really no room for negotiation?" Yan Jizu almost begged.
Liu Ruyi didn't look at Yan Jizu's pitiful appearance. These scholars had thick skins as thick as the city walls. They talked about being loyal to the emperor, patriotic, honest and caring for the people, but they secretly took their generous dividends without blushing or beating their hearts!
At this time, Liu Ruyi still didn't know Yan Jizu's trump card, so how could he easily reveal his flaws?
"My Lord Governor, it is only natural that you should be paid as a soldier! The court does not give you any money, but you still want me, Liu Ruyi, to send troops. What is this? What do you want me to say to my subordinates?"
Yan Jizu's face became increasingly embarrassed, his face turned blue, his lips were trembling, but he was speechless!
After a long while, seeing that Liu Ruyi had no intention of relenting, Yan Jizu finally couldn't help it anymore and said tremblingly: "Ruyi, can we discuss this matter again? Is there anything else we can't say between us?
What are you talking about? I know, Ruyi, you are not short of money, this matter..."
Seeing Yan Jizu's straightforward words, Liu Ruyi no longer planned to make ink with him. For Liu Ruyi, the war in the Central Plains also cannot collapse too quickly. Otherwise, Li Zicheng's refugees will collapse and form, and for Shandong, there will be no
Half the benefit!
It's only a matter of time before the Caishi Army sends troops!
However, when to send troops depends on what kind of bargaining chips Yan Jizu can offer!
"My Lord Governor, are your words meant by the court or by yourself?" Liu Ruyi stared directly into Yan Jizu's eyes and asked.
Yan Jizu was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said: "Ruyi, between us, do you want me to say this in person?"
Liu Ruyi smiled and said, "My Lord Governor, Ruyi has always had deep respect for you! However, the public belongs to the public and the private belongs to the private! Sending troops is by no means a trivial matter! It must be justified!"
Yan Jizu nodded, "Forget it! In this case, I boldly made it clear! If you wish, what the imperial court means to me is that as long as you can send troops to alleviate or even contact the crisis in the Central Plains, the imperial court will designate you as the "Marquis of Zhendong"
'!But the settlement of money and military pay will have to be delayed!"
Liu Ruyi couldn't help laughing!
Zhendonghou?
What a big price tag?
Do you really think you are a three-year-old?
Yan Jizu saw Liu Ruyi laughing and thought Liu Ruyi had agreed, so he couldn't help but said with great joy: "Ruyi, since you have agreed, let's discuss how to send troops as soon as possible! The situation in the Central Plains cannot be delayed any longer!"
Liu Ruyi slowly shook his head, "Master Governor, the court and you are not sincere enough! Although I, Liu Ruyi, have a great family and a great business, I cannot just ruin my brother's life like this!"
Yan Jizu couldn't help being shocked, "Then, that, Ruyi, Marquis is not enough? You, what do you want?"
Liu Ruyi waved her hand and said to the maid: "Go and get a pen and paper!"
"Yes!" After a moment, the little maid took the Four Treasures of the Study and carefully placed them on the small table in front of Liu Ruyi.
Liu Ruyi smiled at Yan Jizu, picked up the brush, dipped some ink at random, and wrote two big characters on the white rice paper----------'King of Qi'!
"What?" Yan Jizu's eyes almost burst out, and he fell on the soft couch in despair...