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After the imperial court discovered that there were errors in the disaster relief money and food in the northwest provinces, it immediately sent Zhao Junchen and Bao Wenjie to Shanxi and Shaanxi and Gansu to investigate the actual situation, without giving local officials in the northwest provinces time to respond.
Therefore, when Zhao Junchen and his party entered Shanxi, they did not alert the local officials at first.
This gave Zhao Junchen the opportunity to conduct overt and covert visits.
Before leaving Beijing, Zhao Junchen ordered each of the Jin Yiwei to bring a mandarin duck robe, the standard military uniform worn by ordinary soldiers in the Ming Dynasty, in order not to attract the attention of local officials. The flying fish robe of the Jin Yiwei was too conspicuous.
Therefore, after entering Shanxi, Zhao Junchen ordered the royal guards to take off their flying fish robes and put on their mandarin duck jerseys, and the team disguised itself as a transiting Forbidden Army cavalry. Although it would also attract attention, this period was When the fire sieves into the invaders, there will often be troop mobilization, which can at least paralyze the local officials for a period of time, so that the local officials will not immediately guess Zhao Junchen's intention.
However, even though they had disguised their identities, the people along the way still dispersed and fled far away when they saw the large group of cavalry passing by.
In the eyes of many common people, although this small-scale roving army is a regular army of the imperial court, its nature is not much different from that of bandits and horse thieves. They are both harmful to the people.
But he said that after entering the territory of Lu'an Prefecture, seeing that it was already afternoon, Hong Gaogong asked Zhao Junchen for instructions: "Master Zhao, we have now penetrated deep into Shanxi Province, and we will reach Lu'an Prefecture in another forty or fifty miles." , do you think we should go to Lu'an Prefecture to rest first? Or should we go straight to Taiyuan Prefecture, where the governor of Shanxi is based, without stopping all the way?"
Having said this, Hong Gaogong hesitated for a moment, then looked pleading, and said: "Master Zhao, we have been traveling for three days, and we did not have a good rest along the way. The brothers who are humble subordinates are already exhausted. It's unbearable... Of course, working for the imperial court requires some hardships, but Mr. Zhao, you are a noble person, and you are also working non-stop. I am really worried about your health because of your humble position... How about we go to Lu'an Fucheng to rest? one day?"
Zhao Junchen looked at Hong Gaogong, only to see that Hong Gaogong's young and handsome face was full of fatigue, his eyes were dull, his hair was disheveled, and his body was always crooked. At this time, he was leaning on the horse. It was obvious that he had reached his limit.
Zhao Junchen turned to look at the Jin Yiwei behind him, only to find that except for the thirty people under Mao Jiadong's command, they were also exhausted and looked like they were about to lose their strength. Now they were complaining to each other feebly. It was Zhao Junchen's twenty servants who still looked like they still had some strength to spare.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Junchen sighed secretly in his heart.
This is the most elite Jin Yiwei among the Ming Dynasty's imperial guards. They just traveled for three days without any hurry, taking lunch breaks, staying up late, and having three meals and drinks. But they couldn't bear it anymore!
In comparison, Zhao Junchen and Bao Wenjie, as civil servants, were equally exhausted, but they were not as complaining as they were.
Such a young master soldier cannot give Zhao Junchen any hope in return.
After sighing secretly, Zhao Junchen remained calm on the surface. He just turned to Bao Wenjie and asked, "What do you think, Mr. Bao?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Bao Wenjie said expressionlessly: "Everything is up to Mr. Zhao, the subordinates have no opinion!"
Seeing Bao Wenjie's appearance, Zhao Junchen shook his head and sighed again.
Ever since the conversation two days ago, Bao Wenjie had been expressionless and taciturn, as if he was angry with himself.
Zhao Junchen thought for a moment, then called out: "Xu Qingyan!"
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, Xu Qingyan rode up to Zhao Junchen and asked, "Master, what are your orders?"
Zhao Junchen asked: "This is not far from Lu'an City. I remember we were here when we exterminated locusts last year. Do you still remember the location of Nanguan Village where Mr. Wang is?"
The father-in-law Wang mentioned by Zhao Junchen was the father-in-law who "smiled and waited for death" that Zhao Junchen met when he was fighting locusts in Lu'an Prefecture. At that time, the father-in-law Wang's son had his legs broken by the government, and his daughter-in-law He also ran away with others, leaving only two ignorant grandchildren, and all the food in the fields was destroyed by locusts. In order to treat his son's illness, Mr. Wang did not hesitate to sell his house and fields, but in the end he got nothing and only ended up with A family waiting to die.
What happened to Wang Laozhang also gave Zhao Junchen a great impetus at that time. Zhao Junchen made up his mind to eliminate locusts and provide relief. He also had people heal Wang Laozhang's son's legs, redeem his house and fields, and use Mr. Wang put on a good show, but he won the praise of countless people in Lu'an Mansion.
When the locusts were exterminated, Zhao Junchen also worked hard and personally with the people of Nanguan Village where Mr. Wang lived. The way Zhao Junchen personally killed the locusts was a rare sight for the people of Lu'an Prefecture. Mr. Qingtian, especially the people in Nanguan Village, simply worship Zhao Junchen as a god!
At the beginning, the people of Lu'an Prefecture gave Zhao Junchen the Ten Thousand People Umbrella, and it was the people of Nanguan Village who took the lead.
Therefore, after Zhao Junchen came to Lu'an Mansion, he first thought of Mr. Wang and the people of Nanguan Village. The people there respected Zhao Junchen very much and did not take any precautions at all. Zhao Junchen could also find out from them. Lots of real news to learn more about the detailed situation in Shanxi.
Zhao Junchen is a corrupt official, so he is very aware of the cunningness of corrupt officials, and he does not believe any information told by local officials at all, so he prefers to understand the situation through the people. Although it is not comprehensive, it is true enough.
After Xu Qingyan heard Zhao Junchen's inquiry, he frowned and thought for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Master, it has been more than a year, and we have only been to Lu'an Mansion once. How can I remember it so clearly? , I just remember that Nanguan Village is located south of Lu’an Prefecture, but I don’t know where it is specifically.”
Zhao Junchen shook his head helplessly, but did not blame Xu Qingyan, because Zhao Junchen himself also forgot the detailed journey.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen told Hong Gaogong: "Go and call Mao Baihu. He may know the route, otherwise you can only ask the local people."
Hong Gaogong didn't know why Zhao Junchen wanted to ask about the location of Nanguan Village. He couldn't help but feel a little confused, but he didn't dare to neglect Zhao Junchen's instructions. He immediately turned around and called Mao Jiadong loudly.
Soon, Mao Jiadong rode his horse and came to Zhao Junchen's side. He raised his hands to everyone and said, "I have met the Imperial Envoy, the Deputy Envoy, and the Qianhu Lord. Please give me your instructions."
Based on his observations during this period, Zhao Junchen discovered that Mao Jiadong is indeed a talent. Although he does not know what his leadership skills are, he has a capable style and a calm personality, and manages the team in an orderly manner. If he encounters any problems along the way, No matter what trouble, Mao Jiadong can always find a solution quickly.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen admired Mao Jiadong even more, and often looked for opportunities to have direct contact with Mao Jiadong, hoping to win over Mao Jiadong for his own use.
It's a pity that Mao Jiadong does have a very stubborn character. Although he doesn't speak much, he has a strong opinion in his heart. He is not a wallflower who can be easily bribed by Zhao Junchen with a little favor.
But because of this, Zhao Junchen paid more attention to Mao Jiadong, believing that people like Mao Jiadong would never betray him easily once they surrendered to him.
After meeting Mao Jiadong, Zhao Junchen had a very polite attitude. He smiled at Mao Jiadong and asked, "Mao Baihu once served in the military in Shanxi. Do you know how to get to Nanguan Village near Lu'an Prefecture?"
After Mao Jiadong thought for a moment, he pointed in one direction and said: "Twenty miles westward, there is a loess mountain. Then walk more than ten miles north and you will arrive."
Zhao Junchen looked enlightened and said, "Now that I think about it, it is indeed such a path. Mao Baihu really has a good memory."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's praise, Mao Jiadong did not feel flattered, but replied calmly: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Envoy, is very complimentary. I once served as a escort in Shanxi, so I am naturally familiar with the situation here. I have nothing to praise."
It can be seen that Zhao Junchen treated Mao Jiadong politely and kindly, and Mao Jiadong was also grateful, but this gratitude was far from enough to make Mao Jiadong seek refuge with Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen also knew that this kind of thing could only be done slowly, so he did not continue to show his kindness to Mao Jiadong. He just told everyone: "It's getting late. We really need to rest, but we are not going to Lu'an Fucheng to rest. We are going to Nanguan Village to rest. The people there are all familiar with me and will definitely welcome us warmly."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, everyone was puzzled. They didn't understand why Zhao Junchen, as a powerful official of the imperial court, was familiar with the people of an ordinary village in Lu'an Prefecture. However, Zhao Junchen did not explain in detail, but took the initiative. The horse moved forward, following the path pointed by Mao Jiadong.
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, everyone had no choice but to suppress their doubts and all followed him on horseback.
When the time approached evening, Zhao Junchen and his party finally saw the Nanguan Village in their memories from a distance.
There are many risks in today's world. Not only are Mongolian Tatars plundering in-depth every year in Shanxi, but there are also horse thieves and bandits. Naturally, the people are on guard. Most of the villages outside the city have high fortification walls and are heavily fortified. The fortress is no different.
Although Lu'an Prefecture is located in the southeast of Shanxi Province and has not been plundered much by Mongolian cavalry, Nanguan Village, as a large-scale village, also built tall and strong loess walls to guard against dangers that may come from time to time.
The sudden appearance of nearly three hundred cavalry frightened all the people in Nanguan Village and caused a lot of panic. By the time the group arrived outside Nanguan Village, the people outside the wall had already ran in. Inside the village, the hanging door on the wall was also pulled up, and the strong men in the village ran to the wall with swords, guns and farm tools to guard.
Seeing this scene, everyone secretly smacked their lips and lamented how wary the people in the northwest were.
Just as everyone was sighing, an old man on the wall shouted loudly: "Where are you cavalry? Why do you come to my Nanguan Village? If you want to stay overnight, you can walk more than 20 miles north to Lu. There is a special camp in Anfu City, so you military lords should stay there for the night. Our Nanguan Village is short of supplies and space, so I cannot entertain you military lords."
Seeing that the people in Nanguan Village were trying to drive them away, Hong Gaogong suddenly became angry and planned to scold them.
However, Zhao Junchen raised his hand to stop Hong Gaogong, and personally rode his horse forward, approaching the wall of Nanguan Village, so that the people of Nanguan Village could see his appearance.
Then, Zhao Junchen shouted loudly: "Everyone in Nanguan Village, do you still remember me, Zhao Junchen?"
Seeing Zhao Junchen moving forward, everyone's expressions changed drastically, fearing that Nanguan Village's ignorance and trouble would hurt Zhao Junchen.
However, as Zhao Junchen came forward to speak, a magical scene appeared.
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Second update!
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