Yuhelou in Qingfeng City is the highest-end restaurant in Tongcheng, and the county government often hosts receptions here.
Pang Yu had been waiting downstairs for a long time. This time he was hosting a banquet for Guang Shiheng. Since he was a native of Tongcheng, some officials from the county government also came, and Tang Weimin stood beside him.
"Tomorrow, I will hand over the silver box to the banker in my four quarters. If there is anything unclear then, please ask Mr. Tang for advice."
Tang Weimin tilted his head, "You want to be separated from me again, what do you call Mr. Tang?"
Needless to say, I will explain it clearly to the silver man as my brother."
Pang Yu quickly thanked him. If Tang Weimin didn't say hello, he would have to pay a fortune when the silver was tested.
As long as Tang Weimin went there, he could earn one hundred to two hundred taels from a silver cabinet.
"I always trouble my elder brother, and I really feel bad about it."
"I know you are short of money and equipment for your strong squad, and I wanted to help you, but this year's autumn tax is really tight."
Tang Weimin came over and lowered his voice, "When Yang Fangqian left, he took away three thousand taels of the autumn tax collected. Now Mr. Yang, who has been negotiating with Yang Fangqian for a long time, has no choice but to save money from other places.
, whenever the house can be moved, priority will be given to us to work quickly and strengthen the class."
Pang Yu shook his head and said, "It's better not to embarrass Brother Tang again."
"You still want to meet Tang..." Tang Weimin was mid-sentence when a small sedan appeared on the street. Yang Erming, who was waiting in front, stood up from his horse. Pang Yu guessed that Guang Shiheng had arrived, and the two of them hurriedly stopped talking.
explain.
The small sedan stopped in front of the building, and a scribe wearing a lake silk robe got out. This man had big ears and a dignified appearance, and his movements were confident and gentle. In Pang Yu's eyes, Yang Erming's classmate in his thirties certainly
More leadership style.
Guang Shiheng raised his hands to Yang Erming and said with a smile, "I said goodbye to the capital of Jinxian, and now I have become Guang's hometown official again."
Yang Erming's face turned slightly red, and he quickly returned his hand and replied, "Brother Nian is so embarrassed. It's a coincidence that Brother Nian went to Shu to serve as an official for my hometown parents."
Guang Shiheng laughed loudly, "Brother, when I arrive in Sichuan, if I have the opportunity, I must go to Junlian to see what a beautiful place it is. It can produce a 14-year-old Jinshi."
After hearing this, Yang Erming was very polite and introduced Guang Shiheng to Yuhe Building. This time, the county government booked the Piaoxiang Room on the third floor, and the price of the food was about twenty taels.
Pang Yu fell behind, and Mr. Sun, Yang Erming's secret friend, walked in front of him, accompanied by Guang Shiheng's secret friend. Pang Yu deliberately stayed far away to make it easier for Mr. Sun to send the ceremonial money. Yang Erming estimated that he would spend more than one hundred taels tonight.
.
On the main table on the third floor, apart from Yang Erming and Guang Shiheng, there were some gentry from Tongcheng, all of whom were old acquaintances of Guang Shiheng. Pang Yu knew one of them, Jiang Chen, which was quite a bit like returning home in glory.
Precisely because Guang Shiheng was from the same hometown, the atmosphere at the banquet was much warmer than the usual greetings and farewells. Guang Shiheng was very talkative. Yang Erming asked about the whereabouts of other people in the same year in the capital. Guang Shiheng also spoke of his family treasures. Pang Yu could
I imagine that he must have had a wide range of contacts during his time in the capital.
The secretaries, secretary and Pang Yu were sitting separately at the accompanying table. If Guang Shiheng hadn't called on him, Pang Yu wouldn't even be able to sit at the accompanying table.
After finishing talking about the events of the same year, Guang Shiheng finally remembered Pang Yu, and Yang Erming quickly waved Pang Yu to the main table.
Guang Shiheng looked Pang Yu up and down and then praised, "Pang Bantou knows that Guang has heard of your name since he was in the capital.
Not only that, a chief of the Ministry of War told me that even the emperor had asked the Ministry of War whether it was true that a government officer in Tongcheng killed thirty people alone."
As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at Pang Yu with envy. There was only one emperor in the world, and it was a great achievement for the ministers to have even heard his name.
Guang Shiheng continued, "As a result, the Ministry of War sent another message to Zhang Dutang to inquire, and Governor Yingtian's Yamen reported again in detail, saying that more than thirty people were killed, and the bandit leader Wang Guohua was later captured and brought to justice. Guang thought at that time...
, when I return to Tongcheng, I must see this brave country party with my own eyes."
Pang Yu was still a little confused. He didn't expect that even the emperor had heard of him. He subconsciously said humbly, "Master Xie Guang praised me. Although I am just a government servant, I am responsible for the rise and fall of the world. It is the duty of a minister to kill thieves for the country."
.”
Guang Shiheng said in surprise, "Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world. It is well said. If all the government servants in the world can think like this, why worry about the bandits not being wiped out? Bring the wine! For this sentence, let's respect Pantou Pang together.
One cup!”
Everyone stood up one after another. Yang Erming also felt that his face was bright today. After having a drink, he proposed a drink, and the atmosphere in the place became lively.
After Guang Shiheng waited for Pang Yu to go back and take a seat, he turned to Yang Erming and said, "Guang was supposed to go straight to Rongchang to take office this time. He made a special trip back to his hometown on the way. He was not afraid of Jinxian's jokes. He had some private thoughts of returning home in fine clothes, but more importantly,
I still have to ask Jinxian to protect the safety of the people of Tongcheng in this autumn of chaos."
"Brother Nian, don't worry, I'm obligated to do so."
Guang Shiheng said with a solemn expression, "Brother, I stayed in the capital for a while, and after I passed the exam, I also went to visit Mr. Sun Jin, so I listened more.
I have always thought of sharing the situation of the bandits with fellow pastors in other places, so that they can be more alert and my visit will not be in vain."
The Sun Jin he was talking about was Sun Lin's elder brother, who was now the imperial censor of the Capital Procuratorate.
Yang Erming said seriously, "Brother Nian, please tell me."
Although Pang Yu was at the table, he listened attentively to Guang Shiheng's words.
"The bandits started at the end of Emperor Xizong's reign and spread to the northwest from Shaanxi to Shanxi. However, they did not become a prairie fire. It was not until last year when Mianchi crossed south and entered Henan. Dozens of bands of bandits sprouted out like sores and ravaged the Central Plains and Huguang.
out of hand.
In fact, the corruption of the situation was all due to Fu. This was the case for the southern crossing of Mianchi, and this year's Chaixi Gorge. It was originally a situation that was wiped out in one fell swoop, but it allowed the bandits to escape under the pretext of Fu.
The rogue bandits are able to succeed by repeating their old tricks again and again, not because they are extraordinarily intelligent, but because the warriors have the selfish intention of nourishing the bandits' self-respect."
Pang Yu listened carefully. He didn't know anything about the Mianchi South Crossing, nor had he heard of the Wagonxi Gorge, but it sounded like the army had a chance to eliminate the main force of the rogue bandits.
"According to the information obtained by the Ministry of War, the rogue bandits are centered on the deserted soldiers of the border army and the postmen Difu. They absorb local bandits from various places along the way to strengthen them, and then bring a large number of refugee followers with them.
They looted heavy horses and mules more than gold and silver in order to save their lives. The old thieves usually had two or three horses and mules, and they could travel more than 200 miles in a day. The officers and soldiers often failed to catch up.
Whenever rogues fight, they must be preceded by spies, who transform themselves into laborers, servants, beggars, merchants, wandering monks, etc., and sneak into the cities of various places to cooperate with others. Jinxian must take strict precautions."
Pang Yu silently remembered in his heart that this was the first time he had heard relatively detailed information about the rogue bandits, and he actually learned it from a passing magistrate.
"Yang made a note. Thank you Brother Nian for reminding me. Brother Nian, please be extremely careful when you go to Sichuan. The land of abundance is not peaceful now."
"The rogue bandits have already entered Sichuan, and now they are moving to Huguang, Henan, and are very close to South Zhili.
This year, Lord Sun of the Jin Dynasty met with Lord Zhang, the Minister of War, and said that Anqing controlled the land and water routes and asked the Ministry of War to set up troops to guard them. Zhang Butang immediately replied, "People from Gongnan, why worry about thieves?"
The thieves who come from the northwest do not eat rice, and the thieves and horses do not feed Jiangnan grass." Low laughter came from the hall. Yang Erming wanted to laugh, but did not dare to laugh. After all, he was the Minister of the Ministry of War, but after hearing Guang Shiheng's words
In his tone, he made no secret of his dissatisfaction with Zhang Shangshu.
The Minister of War at this time was Zhang Fengyi, and his reply to Sun Jin had already become a laughing stock in the capital.
The bandits traveled to Huguang, Sichuan and other places. Those places were mainly rice-producing areas, and there was nothing the bandits didn't eat. Moreover, Anqing was also in the north of the Yangtze River, not the south of the Yangtze River.
If the Minister of War was at this level, Pang Yu could also understand why Huang Wending's dozens of people could shake dozens of states and counties.
Guang Shiheng paused expressionlessly for a moment and then said firmly, "Jinxian still needs to make plans early. Although we are the first to confer it, the land of a county is also the territory of the imperial land, and there are thousands of living beings there, so there is no room for it.
We will not waste our efforts, as the world is in turmoil, it is the time to work hard to repay your kindness."
Pang Yu frowned and listened. Judging from the situation he has come into contact with now, the local area is afraid of rogue bandits psychologically, but despises rogue bandits in action. Actual defense preparations are rarely seen, mainly at the level below the government, which makes people feel that rogue bandits are not important at all.
will come.
Those in the upper echelons, such as Fang Kongzhen and Guang Shiheng who came from the capital, paid great attention to the rogue bandits and seemed to believe that the rogue bandits would definitely come to Tongcheng.
At this time, I heard Master Guang say that even Sichuan, a basin surrounded by mountains, did not stop the bandits, and it also passed through a mountain system as large as the Qinling Mountains. With such a marching ability, the Dabie Mountains would definitely not be able to stop the bandits.
Not to mention the two directions of Anqing and Luzhou are as flat as a river.
Yang Erming drank some wine, and after listening to Guang Shiheng's words, he couldn't help but stood up excitedly, "Yang can swear to keep Tongcheng safe even if his body is broken into pieces, and we will work together with Brother Nian."
Guang Shiheng hit the table and stood up, chanting loudly and passionately, "Since I have pledged my pledge, I must be unscrupulous in my food and salary.
I am the one who accepts orders, but I don’t have this body.
When we meet Guan Ge Chou, we still have to fight for victory.
Now that I have encountered a small enemy, An Neng can escape quickly.
Look up to the sky and look down at the ribbon around your waist.
My heart is timid, but I have a sword at my head.
Those who read and cherish the past will be ashamed of their past.
Suiyang and Changshan will be blamed if they fail."
Guang Shiheng's face turned crimson, his eyes were gleaming, and he pointed his sword-like hand at the void. After a slight pause, he chanted the ending with great energy, "Break blood and shoot at the gods, flick the sword and listen to the roar of the dragon."
(Note 1) Yang Erming and others applauded loudly. Even Pang Yu, a person who is not easily moved, felt the fervor. Guang Shiheng's face was solemn. After reciting a poem, his whole person seemed to be exuding the righteousness of heaven and earth.
He was still immersed in emotion at this time, and the beard on his chin was trembling constantly.
"Lord Guang will be a loyal and accomplished minister to the country in the future. He will be a blessing to the world, a blessing to the court, and a blessing to the emperor!"
Tang Weimin, who was next to Pang Yu, said with admiration on his face.
Pang Yu quickly agreed, "Definitely."
Note 1: Guang Shiheng's "The Oath of the South Tower"