When Liu Chengzong returned to Xi'an, there were only four words that could describe this land.
Vast and vast.
As soon as Liu Shishi led his troops to the north bank, he saw that both sides of the Wei River were densely packed with people.
Just when Gao Yingdeng and Ren Quan'er led two cavalry teams to greet them, Liu Chengzong raised his whip and asked, "Where did all this come from?"
Gao Yingdeng glanced at Ren Quan'er, who stepped forward and said: "Sir, they are all from Xi'an City. We have sent troops to the Qin vassal clan and servants, and the second brigade will oversee the construction of the camp."
After he finished speaking, Gao Yingdeng followed up and said: "Commander, the first brigade has its main camp. The Biao camp has climbed up the Xi'an city wall to take over the customs defense. There are also two battalions of reinforcements stationed outside the city to prevent any unexpected events."
Liu Chengzong nodded slowly and asked: "Chen Qiyu, have you settled everything?"
"It's done...half of it. As soon as the commander left, he asked for help."
Gao Yingdeng laughed and said: "The guard commander stationed in the south of the city is named Cui. He couldn't do it. General Ren sent the second brigade of 500 veterans to attack at night. He thought that if he killed Commander Cui, it would be over."
"Unable to control it, the defenders surrendered before being touched, and collapsed as soon as they were touched. The defenders in the four cities were frightened into chaos. They had no choice but to open the city gates and send troops in to maintain public order, otherwise they would have to burn the city.
"
"Sir, please forgive me. It's a humble position..."
Liu Chengzong waved his hand, indicating that Ren Quan'er didn't need to say more, and said: "It doesn't matter, it's almost done."
The Xi'an Prefecture was surrounded just after summer, and now it is winter. There is no help from outside, no food inside, and they have just experienced the chaos of raiding food and ransacking homes.
If he hadn't been unwilling to provide food to support his troops, he would have failed long ago.
In this situation, let alone a night attack by five hundred soldiers, Liu Shishi even felt that even if only one person climbed onto the city wall and shouted, the defenders might collapse.
What's more, regarding the second brigade, Liu Chengzong also knew that the core soldiers of this brigade were his Yan'an Flag Guards, and their ability to fight tough battles was weaker than that of the first brigade.
Now they have become the elite among the elite of the Marshal's Mansion. Even after the reorganization was completed, the five hundred people climbed up the city. When they saw the enemy troops fleeing and destroying each other, it was impossible to stabilize at the top of the city.
You must take advantage of the trend to catch up and show your prestige.
This is normal.
In general, Chen Qiyu was good at copying wealthy households and capturing clan members. According to Liu Shizi's expectation, it was time for him to enter Xi'an Fucheng.
It's just a matter of a few days in the morning and evening.
No one can blame this situation.
What's more, the two brigades did a good job in dealing with the aftermath.
Thanks to the hard work of these surrendered soldiers and clan members, the two large camps north and south of the Weihe River in Xi'an Prefecture were able to be completed ahead of schedule before the freezing weather, which was a major event for Liu Shizi.
After crossing the Weihe River pontoon, Chen Qiyu was already waiting on the south bank.
The former governor-general of five provinces was defeated and surrendered. He considered himself a prisoner of his subordinates. There was no trace of pride on his face. When he saw Liu Chengzong coming, he was led by soldiers to hold up the letter of surrender and came forward to salute.
"Chen Qiyu, the guilty general, comes to see the generalissimo."
Liu Chengzong was not polite, he walked forward relaxedly, and even said hello to Chen Qihuang, who was prostrate behind Chen Qiyu.
He took the letter of surrender, read it and handed it to his attendants. Then he looked at Chen Qiyu: "In the past, everyone was in their respective positions. Now that the army has surrendered, it can save the city of Xi'an from the disaster of war. It is a good thing. Please get up."
.”
Chen Qiyu did not engage in any surrender etiquette such as plain chariots and white horses, wearing flesh with his face tied, holding a jade and leading a sheep.
That was an ancient ritual for the subjugation of the country, and he, a scholar-official, was not worthy of it.
But even if it was just like this, Chen Qiyu was still very uneasy about meeting Liu Chengzong.
After all, according to Liu Chengzong's actions against him earlier, no matter how you look at it, he will be severely humiliated today.
Unexpectedly, Liu Chengzong just said a few words and let him get up.
Liu Shizi didn't have the time to humiliate him. He just glanced at Chen Qiyu, who was still a little confused, and asked: "The military man was an official in Shaanxi?"
Chen Qiyu wanted to resign. Even if he moved to Suide, it would be good to be a common man.
But after hearing Liu Chengzong's words, he naturally stopped thinking.
Obviously, they have plans for where they want to go.
Then he didn't need to say more. Anyway, if he said it, Liu Chengzong would probably not agree, so he might as well not bring about the discomfort.
He replied: "Yes, in the sixth year of Tianqi's reign, he served as deputy envoy to Shaanxi and guarded the inner pass."
"Good official position."
This deputy envoy is responsible for guarding the road and is a provincial adjutant. He assists the chief envoy in supervising the prefectures and counties to which he belongs.
Generally speaking, he was in charge of everything, including money and grain, farming and mulberry, examiner, commander of the army, and defense of the land, but basically he didn't take any blame. It was indeed a good official position.
Liu Chengzong boasted casually and then continued to ask: "How deep is this section of the Weishui River?"
Chen Qiyu didn't understand the question in his heart, but he knew the answer, so he answered immediately: "Coming back to the commander-in-chief, the Wei River in Xi'an Prefecture is generally five feet deep in summer and autumn, and four feet deep in winter and spring."
Liu Chengzong was very satisfied with the answer. He turned around and glanced at the exposed riverbed on both sides of the Weihe River and said, "I asked someone to measure it just now. The water is two feet deep."
It's not that Chen Qiyu is wrong, but that there is no rain in Guanzhong this summer.
The Wei River irrigates a large amount of agricultural land in the Guanzhong Plain, but it cannot be replenished.
"In the spring next year, the situation may be better or worse."
"I plan to appoint you as the governor of the river. The yamen will be located in Xi'an. You will receive a second-class salary and supervise the repair and water conservancy of the river."
After Liu Chengzong finished speaking, he looked at Chen Qiyu and asked, "How?"
He didn't have any grudges against Chen Qiyu. Anyway, the battle was over and he had beaten himself up pretty well, so he could use it if it was lowered.
The job assigned to him by Liu Chengzong was to build water conservancy projects.
When Chen Qiyu heard this mission, not only was he not unhappy, but the worry in his brows was reduced a bit. He prostrated himself with great joy and said, "Thank you, Commander, for your kindness!"
After expressing his attitude, Chen Qiyu immediately asked Liu Chengzong very cautiously: "May I ask the generalissimo, to what extent do you want your subordinates to improve the rivers and channels?"
When Liu Shizi heard this, he turned to look at Chen Qiyu, with a bit of surprise in his eyes: You got into the role very quickly!
Little did he know that Chen Qiyu was extremely satisfied with his arrangement.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Surrendering to the Marshal's Mansion, Chen Qiyu did not expect to be named a high official, nor did he expect to gain any authority.
If you really give him the governorship of five provinces and let him lead troops to attack Shanxi and Henan, he will have to find a way to escape even if his clan doesn't want him.
After all, everyone has pursuits. Do what you do and love what you do. Before surrendering to the Marshal's Mansion, you thought about one thing. If you really surrender and save your life, you have to consider another thing.
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
If Liu Chengzong gave him the governorship of five provinces, he would probably want to kill him.
If he was sincere, it would be even more outrageous. It can only show that Generalissimo Liu Chengzong is a good fighter, but he has no knowledge of people.
More to run.
Because the governor oversees military, civil and military affairs.
Although Chen Qiyu didn't do well in the Shaanxi campaign, he had the confidence to supervise the Ming army, and there were only a few people in the world who could do a better job than him.
But who can supervise the Marshal Army better than Liu Chengzong?
What's more, even if Liu Chengzong, the founder of the army, is left aside, Chen Qiyu cannot supervise the marshal's army.
Let him lead the troops to fight, and he'll be damned if he can win.
Therefore, in Chen Qiyu's eyes, managing rivers is the best job among good jobs.
Second only to compiling daily notes for Liu Chengzong.
"To what extent are the renovations and repairs?"
Liu Chengzong chuckled, thinking that the question asked by Chen Qiyu was quite interesting, and joked: "Can you not reduce production in Guanzhong next year?"
Chen Qiyu was stunned and shook his head decisively.
The general is here to make a wish.
Since the beginning of spring this year, not a drop of rain has fallen in Guanzhong, and the Wei River is half as shallow as in previous years.
If it snows this winter, the situation will be better. If it doesn't snow, production cuts in Guanzhong next year will be inevitable.
Not to mention appointing him as the governor of the river, if you appoint him as the governor of the universe, you will have to abandon the wasteland that should be abandoned, and you will have to reduce the production that should be reduced.
This is not a matter of ability.
But when he saw him shaking his head, Liu Shizi was not anxious, but rather happy.
He just asked casually. As long as Chen Qiyu didn't talk about it and said that he could guarantee that production would not be reduced, it means that this person is really thinking about doing something.
To be honest, I just crossed the river from the pontoon and asked people to measure the depth of the water. Lion Liu almost cursed the heaven and the earth.
The pontoon bridge on the Wei River in the north of Xi'an is a seasonal bridge. It is usually used as a ferry in spring and summer. The pontoon bridge is only erected in autumn.
This is mainly due to the irrigation on the Guanzhong Plain. The water supply peaks in spring and summer, and the Wei River will cut off from time to time. Therefore, boats are used when there is water, and they are not used when there is no water.
As a result, it is almost impossible to build a pontoon bridge this winter.
Liu Shishi didn't know what happened.
Guanzhong was doing well last year, but Hehuang and Lanzhou suffered from drought. This year he came out and won Guanzhong, but it stopped raining again.
The whole drought is dead and the floods are dead.
Hanzhong and Guanzhong are separated by hundreds of miles. It rained heavily for forty days, and Gao Yingxiang was so flooded that he did not dare to go down the mountain.
It's good for him, not a drop of water fell from the sky.
If it weren't for the Wei River here, Guanzhong would have suffered a disaster this year.
But even so, looking at the depth of the Wei River, Liu Shizi estimates that the flow will be cut off next spring and summer.
It is not a problem for the Wei River to stop flowing. Because of irrigation reasons, it will stop flowing even if there is no drought.
It's just that in this age, whether it can be replenished after the flow is cut off is another matter. This is the dangerous place.
Liu Chengzong said: "Since production reduction is inevitable, your job is to do your best to ensure that those dilapidated water canals should be opened and repaired. Plant trees to stabilize the land and conserve water sources. At the same time, do a good job in water diversion and try to make the water more accessible."
The water flows where it should go."
"As for other things, others will do it."
Chen Qiyu nodded in agreement, knowing that the difficulty of this job was probably not as simple as that of the governor of the five provinces.
Because building canals and connecting rivers, as long as someone has money and a plan, it's easy to get things on the right track.
The difficult part is water diversion, that is, water use regulations and segmented management.
It is easy to manage a river, but difficult to manage people.
However, Chen Qiyu heard Liu Chengzong's intention, and it seemed that the Marshal's Office had other options besides doing personnel matters.
He was also an official in charge of the military during the drought. He knew how difficult these times were, and the Marshal's Mansion could stand out at this time. There must be some unique secret.
Thinking of this, Chen Qiyu couldn't restrain his curiosity, so he asked thoughtfully: "Commander, I must have other methods?"
"Oh, what can I do."
Liu Shixin said that the general environment is so virtuous. The natural disasters that have occurred in the northwest in recent years would have been devastated by any ancient prosperous age.
It's just that for a small political power like their Marshal's Mansion, which was founded in a disaster, the officials, soldiers and civilians are more optimistic and more resilient.
Liu Chengzong smiled and said: "You do your job, and I will find a way to deal with the destiny."
Chen Qiyu was full of understanding: "Pray for rain and worship the sky?"
This is business.
It didn't rain because the officials were not sincere.
When it rains, it can greatly improve public sentiment and stability.
But Liu Chengzong obviously had different thoughts from Chen Qiyu.
He shook his head slowly and said: "It's hard to find rain. My plan is to first replace the person in charge with one of my own."
"The generalissimo wants to replace the person in charge... with one of his own?"
Chen Qiyu didn't understand.
Or maybe you understand it, but it’s too shocking.
"I finally figured it out. Wherever I go, it doesn't rain. It must be these workers who are doing this to me. They just pay attention and don't do anything. Of course they have to be replaced."
"The Wind Boy Rain Master, the River Boy Rain God, the Dragon King Lake Lord, the Mountain God City God, all of them will be laid off if it doesn't rain. The fallen officers of the Marshal Army will be canonized, and the heroic spirit of the sergeants will be put on duty."
Liu Chengzong said what he said was as it should be, and Chen Qiyu, Chen Qihuang and others were shocked when they heard it.
The two brothers looked at each other and saw the shock in each other's eyes - is Liu Chengzong crazy?
You could say he is superstitious, he wants to remove all the gods.
You say he doesn't believe in gods, yet he actually wants to canonize a bunch of gods himself.
Liu Chengzong ignored their looks, waved his hands and said: "You don't have to worry about much, just do your own thing well, temporarily stay in the army, and formulate regulations for the Hedao Yamen."
Let’s replace the gods with our own people. In fact, Liu Chengzong’s thinking direction has nothing to do with superstition.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! When he came from the Weihe River Floating Bridge, he had already realized that next year's harvest might not be very good.
Normally, a deterioration in harvest would not have much impact, but this year is a critical moment for the Marshal's Mansion.
Entering Xi'an City means that the Eastern Expedition is successful and will enter the post-war reward stage.
It also means that he must become king.
Although he himself was quite reluctant to do this, and even a little resistant to it, the titles of many generals who had made meritorious services in the Marshal's Mansion should indeed be promoted.
After returning home, there is no reason to stress about this matter anymore.
At this critical moment for the establishment of the king, if local rations are insufficient due to drought next year, it will have a great impact on the morale of the military and the people.
That's why Liu Chengzong had the idea to abolish the gods.
At first his idea was to pray for rain.
When it is about to rain during the festival, officials go out to pray for rain. This is very useful for people's morale.
After all, when the vast majority of people believe in something, it is no longer a superstition for those in power, but a political means that can be used.
When praying for rain, it means that the sky responds to people's virtues, and people's hearts soar, and even a little divinity can be added.
It doesn't matter if you don't ask for rain, it's just that the person asking for rain is not sincere.
As for Liu Chengzong, he was obviously not satisfied with this situation.
Why don't you work and blame me for being dishonest?
I will withdraw from you all first and let the people realize that I, Liu Chengzong, am not afraid of heaven, earth, or gods.
It doesn't matter even if the people think I'm going against the grain.
Then I granted the title of immortal to all my fallen soldiers, which gained a lot of military morale.
Even if it doesn't rain, with an army of 100,000 in hand, I can lead the soldiers to continue the war next year and march into places where it rains.
What if it rains?
I, Liu Chengzong, broke the earth and proclaimed himself king, and even the canonized gods were more effective than the Ming Dynasty!
The morale of the military and the people, a win-win situation!