Liu Yan brought Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming to King De's Mansion. King De Zhu Youshu was very happy after hearing the news. He went to the middle courtyard to wait in person. Then he pulled Liu Yan with a smile and said, "The governor is busy with official duties, but he hasn't been here for a while. The palace is a guest."
Liu Yan said: "Your Highness, don't be surprised. I have no choice but to leave."
"The governor is determined to change, and he wants to turn all parts of Shandong into a paradise. This king sees this ambition, and is pleased that your majesty can have a minister like the governor."
As they spoke, the two came to a pavilion, accompanied by Li Jiwen, Hu Zongming, and Tan Mingdao, the commander of King De's guards.
At this time, the weather started to get hot. Walking on the street on weekdays would make you sweat profusely, and the heat was uncomfortable.
However, in the pavilion in Prince De's Mansion, there was a cool breeze, which was in sharp contrast with the scorching heat outside, which made Liu Yan wonder.
"Haha, I don't see the governor. This pavilion was built by me after the flowing water pavilion of the Song Dynasty. Under the tiles on the top of the pavilion, there are bamboo tubes made of green bamboo. They are connected to the ice cellar buried underground, and the cold air in the ice cellar is constantly flowing. Follow the bamboo tube to the top of the pavilion. The governor saw that there were many holes on the top, and the cool air came out from here."
Liu Yan raised his head and saw that it was indeed the case. He couldn't help but admire it, but felt a little unhappy in his heart.
At this time, people all over the country are working hard under the scorching sun, just to harvest more food in the year of drought. However, a vassal king like King De actually used the "late Ming Dynasty air conditioner" and lived in a state of intoxication in the palace. Even those in high positions such as Liu Yan could not see it.
However, Liu Yan's expression remained as usual, and he exchanged pleasantries with King De.
sentence and get to the point.
"Your Highness, I have come here today and I still have something to ask for."
"Haha, tell me, Governor. I know that Governor will not go to the Three Treasures Hall for anything. As long as I can do it, I will do my best."
Afterwards, Liu Yan explained the rectification of the guards and the guards of the feudal lords in various places. Then he looked at Tan Mingdao aside and said, "Your Highness knows that the military equipment of the country has been in ruins for a long time. It is because of the collapse of the guard system. There are no soldiers available, and most of the few soldiers are useless. Therefore, the governor is determined to rectify the Shandong army. All guards and guards must be organized into garrisons and drilled according to the standards of the new army."
"Your Highness has experienced the siege of slaves and bandits, and naturally knows how powerful it is. Shandong cannot just rely on the battalions of the New Army. They are trees without roots and water without sources. A recruitment mechanism must be established so that the New Army can We need a steady supply of troops."
King De said sternly: "What the governor said makes sense. At this time, I agree with both hands. The governor will just do it. If there is a shortage of money and food, I can also support you. How about fifty thousand taels?"
"Your Highness has misunderstood. I am not here to beg for alms. I want to ask Your Highness to speak to the feudal kings in various places and stop obstructing the reorganization of the feudal kings' guards."
King De Zhu Youshu smiled, picked up the tea cup and asked Liu Yan to drink tea. Then he looked at the top of the pavilion and said to Tan Mingdao: "Why is it suddenly hot in the pavilion? Go ask someone to prepare more ice cubes and go down to the ice cellar to take a look. .”
"yes."
Liu Yan frowned slightly. He expected that Zhu Youshu would retreat. After all, most people would shirk such thankless things.
"Is your Highness in trouble?"
"hehe."
Zhu Youshu smiled and said: "Where, where, the governor is drinking tea. This is the best Biluochun. I specially sent people to Jiangnan to buy it."
Liu Yan did not pick up the teacup, but said: "I and Your Highness are old acquaintances, so I won't go around the bush when I say something. There is a lot of trouble among the feudal kings in various places now. I don't want to fall out with the feudal kings, but It doesn’t mean that I have nothing to do. If there really is a riot, people will bleed to death, and it won’t be good for anyone.”
"So today I came to His Highness because I want His Highness to be a middleman who can mediate the matter and get it done. If he can't mediate it, I won't have any scruples about taking action again."
Zhu Youshu knew Liu Yan's character and was so frightened that he almost stood up and said, "Master, please don't be impulsive. If you have anything to say, please speak it up."
"It's not that I don't want to help the governor, but this matter is too difficult to handle. The governor also saw that Tan Mingdao was working for me. In fact, according to the laws of the court, Tan Mingdao is not under my assignment, but what about Tan Mingdao's time? Ming Dao and his soldiers took my money and food, and all their food and clothing were paid for by me. Based on the military pay given to them by the imperial court, it is estimated that they can only eat Guanyin soil now!"
"The situation of the vassal kings in various places is similar to that here. The guards of the vassal kings in various places have actually become their own private soldiers, just like the servants of the generals. Now the governor has issued an order to support the vassal kings in various places. Who would agree to take away the guard who has been guarding him for many years?”
Liu Yan said: "I also know these details, but things must be done. I found King De today just to give all the vassal kings a step down.
As for whether they are willing to settle down peacefully or not, it depends on their respective lives. "
Zhu Youshu frowned and had no idea for a moment.
Li Jiwen and Hu Zongming on the side wanted to interrupt, but realized that they could not interrupt at this time, so they had to stand aside and say nothing.
After a while, Zhu Youshu gritted his teeth and said: "In this case, I can't refute the governor's face. It's better to abolish the vassal guards, starting from this king. I will set an example, and the governor will It’s easier to push forward there.”
Liu Yan said with a smile: "Then I will thank Your Highness. But I would also like to ask Your Highness to do you a favor and find an opportunity to send a message to the vassal kings in various places and help me beat them. I know that in various places in Shandong, The Tokuo clan is the largest, and all the feudal kings can listen to His Highness’s words.”
"Of course, I will not let His Highness's help go in vain. Starting from next month, the Shogunate's Commercial Department will take 2% of the profits from the glass and sea salt and send it to His Highness on a monthly basis. It can be regarded as hard work. , whether it’s compensation or not, Your Highness will accept it for now.”
Zhu Youshu knew that the shogunate's commercial department was a cornucopia, with mountains of gold and silver entering his account every month. Although the income was only 2%, there was an income of tens of thousands of silver coins. Zhu Youshu's face was suddenly filled with a smile, and he said: "Haha, the governor is so polite. The governor saved my lineage of King De twice. Why do you have the nerve to ask for money for such a small favor? Forget it! I will send someone today. Send a message to each vassal king, asking them to send the chief historian of their respective palaces over immediately, and I will give them some advice face to face."
"good!"
Liu Yan smiled and said: "In this case, I will thank you.
Got off. "
After coming out of Prince De's Mansion, Liu Yan, Li Jiwen, and Hu Zongming rode back to the Governor's Mansion. On the way, they asked, "Do you think Prince De can persuade the vassal kings everywhere?"
Li Jiwen shook his head and said: "I don't think so. The governor wants to affect the interests of each family. No one's words are effective at this time. It depends on the pressure. As long as the pressure is given, the vassal kings everywhere will bow their heads."
Hu Zongming said: "Didn't King De express his position just now? We can first reorganize Tan Mingdao's guards of King De. The governor can get off the donkey and open a breakthrough on King De's side first."
Liu Yan said with a smile: "Okay, you two will notify the shogunate's military department soon to reorganize Tan Mingdao's department first. This Tan Mingdao will work for the commander of the department, which will also be considered as a favor to King De."
"yes."
Early the next morning, Xun Jingyun, deputy minister of the shogunate's war department, brought his people to Prince De's palace. After submitting Liu Yan's governor's warrant and the transfer order document from the shogunate's war department, Xun Jingyun was able to enter Prince De's palace and met Prince De Zhu Youshu.
"I humble myself to pay homage to Your Highness!"
Zhu Youshu's expression was strange. He didn't expect that Liu Yan would take his polite words seriously and send someone to the door in a sudden change. This was too disrespectful!
"Is the Governor too anxious? Commander Tan has worked hard for me for many years. Why do I have to get the Governor's approval and give Commander Tan a good way out? How can I do it so easily? Release him?"
Tan Mingdao on the side was surprised and panicked at first, and then heard Zhu Youshu's words, his heart warmed, and he cupped his fists and saluted Zhu Youshu: "Your Highness's kindness in knowing you will be forever remembered!"
Xun Jingyun looked at this "touching" scene
, said: "Don't worry, your highness, the governor has given an order to the shogunate's military department to name Commander Tan as the commander of the right wing of the fifth battalion of the garrison. Although the official position is considered equal, the soldiers of the garrison have all been trained. The military preparation and combat power are far stronger than the general Ming army."
"In addition, the salary of the garrison is guaranteed and the supplies are sufficient. Commander Tan will definitely do nothing wrong when he arrives at the garrison. Commander Tan will definitely make great achievements in the future."
Tan Mingdao was very moved when he heard this. Who doesn't want to make great achievements, and who wants to be a servant in the palace all the time?
At this time, Tan Mingdao looked at the German King Zhu Youshu eagerly, and then at Xun Jingyun, as if he was hesitant to speak.
Zhu Youshu sighed and saw Liu Yan's determination. Not only did he withstand the pressure of the vassal kings from all over the country, but he also spent a huge amount of money and food. It seemed that the matter of rectifying the guardhouse and guarding the troops could not be stopped.
"In that case, Commander Tan, you should go with Mr. Xun. From now on, you must work hard in the garrison and don't embarrass our Prince De Palace!"
Tan Mingdao was moved and clasped his fists in salute: "I would like to express my gratitude to His Highness. I will definitely act like a good person from now on and will never embarrass Your Highness!"
Xun Jingyun clasped his fists and said, "Your Highness understands justice, and I admire you!"
"After Mr. Xun returned, he told the governor: I have sent people to send letters to the vassal kings in various places, and I will convene the chief ministers of each prince's palace as soon as possible to discuss the matter."
"Thank you for your humiliation, Your Highness!"
Xun Jingyun went directly to the Governor's Mansion and relayed the words of King De Zhu Youshu. Liu Yan said with a smile: "It seems that King De is still very open-minded. With King De as the beginning, the work of the shogunate's war department will be much easier."
. "
"What the governor said is that my subordinates will go back right away. First, reorganize Tan Mingdao's troops and show them to the guards of the vassal kings."
"Um."
Liu Yan said: "King De has made a good start here. I will also add more firepower. I will leave for Qufu tomorrow to see Duke Yan."
