Zhang Yi put down his wine cup and frowned: "Zhang Yi, you mean Chen Chong and Chen Tingjian? He's already here?"
Qin Yilu hurriedly replied: "Ming Gong, it is absolutely true. As soon as Chen Shi arrived today, he came directly to the house to inquire about Ming Gong's whereabouts. Knowing that Ming Gong was away on an envoy, he took his companions to the prefect's mansion first. Soon it was promulgated. According to a decree, when Duke Ming returns from his mission, he will come to see Duke Ming again."
As a governor, Zhang Yi directly took over Xihe after Xing Ji resigned, especially when the new governor had not yet taken office, which was actually illegal. When King Sejong was first established, the original intention of the governor was to supervise the governor and support the imperial power. Even though the power and responsibilities of the governor have been continuously strengthened since King Sejong, he still has no right to directly intervene in the affairs of the governor, let alone take over completely. From this aspect, Zhang Yi is the one who is in the wrong.
But Xin Ping specifically talked with Zhang Yi in private when he came. Chen Chong had strong opinions on the recruitment of the Xiongnu. If Chen Chong was allowed to take office smoothly, I am afraid that Chen Tingjian would cause trouble. Judging from his past deeds, he was not afraid of trouble. Therefore, Zhang Yi seized the time to change the state governance, precisely to take the overall situation into his own hands before Chen Chong took office. Even if the name is not justified, we must persevere to the end. At least there is Yuan Shao as the general in the court to provide assistance.
But Zhang Yi didn't expect Chen Chong to arrive so quickly. It was only September 9th, the Double Ninth Festival. Logically speaking, if Chen Chong were to go to Pubanjin normally, he would not be able to take office until at least the fifteenth day of the month. Unexpectedly, he was on the road as if he were marching, and he was also learning to fight. He unexpectedly took a small path and crossed Mount Wu.
We still have to meet. In terms of official rank, the governor and the prefect are both worth two thousand dan, but in terms of power, the governor is still higher than the prefect. Zhang Yi thought for a moment, as long as he made up his mind and never delegated power, and Yuan Shao continued to operate in the court, no matter how capable this "Xiping Dragon Head" was, he would only be dumb and suffer.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yi straightened his clothes, ordered his servants to remove the banquet, and said to Qin Yilu: "Chen Jun is coming. He will work with us for several years. Don't wait any longer. You can come with me to receive him."
Then he went out to meet Chen Chong. Chen Chong was not alone. He was accompanied by Xu Shu, Wei Yan, and Sun Qian. He arranged for the rest to stay in the prefect's mansion to sort out the documents. Zhang Yi was already in his forties. Now when he saw Chen Chong and his entourage, Xu Shu and Wei Yan had not yet reached the crown. Chen Chong and Sun Qian were older, only over 20 years old. The four of them stood together, quite like a jade tree. , the temperament that complements the wind, and is filled with youthful vitality. This can't help but make Zhang Yi a little envious, but also a little jealous and contemptuous.
Of course, the etiquette was still thorough. Zhang Yi, Chen Chong and their entourage introduced each other and then entered the front hall. Chen Chong got straight to the point: "When I came, I heard that the governor had gone to Meiji, and I was worried. The recruitment matter is related to the overall situation of the country. It affects the whole body. I wonder if the governor will gain anything from this trip?"
Zhang Yi stroked his beard and smiled lightly, but did not answer directly. He admonished him as an elder: "When Mr. Chen takes office as a new official, he should first be familiar with the official documents and visit the counties. This time, the emperor appointed Zhang Yi as the chief official to recruit the Xiongnu. Since I have been in office for many years and am familiar with nonsense, Mr. Chen does not need to take it to heart." But at this point, Zhang Yi suddenly softened his words a little more, and then said: "But this trip went quite smoothly. Qiangqu Chanyu, the rightful king, succeeded to the throne only after our dynasty was established. I used the power of the great Han Dynasty, and the Hu people have naturally accepted my promise."
After hearing these words, Chen Chong couldn't help but feel a little funny. This person first told himself not to ask too many questions, but was afraid of breaking his face when he told him about the current situation. He was arrogant at first and respectful at the end, and he was indecisive. How could he achieve great things in such a chaotic situation? Fortunately, Chen Chong doesn't care about this now, he has other plans in mind.
Chen Chong paid homage to Zhang Yi: "This is a blessing for the country. I congratulate the country and congratulate Ming Gong." After making a good gesture, Chen Chong changed the subject and said, "It's just that Chen Chong came here this time, and there is one more thing." I have to ask Ming Gong about the matter. I wonder what Ming Gong thinks about Bai Bo?"
Zhang Yi's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he didn't know how to answer for a moment. If Zhang Yi has reason to blame his predecessors for other political affairs in recent years, the Baibo Army grew up under Zhang Yi's nose. When Chen Chong mentioned the Baibo Army at this time, this is a typical example of what he doesn't mention. . It had been three years since the main force of the Yellow Turbans was destroyed, and the rise of the White Waves was only at the same time. However, Zhang Yi led his troops to encircle and suppress several times, but all failed. Instead, the White Waves and the Yellow Turbans captured the two counties of Yuanyang and Yuanyin. Nowadays, there are fewer White Waves and Yellow Turbans. There are 70,000 to 80,000 people, all of whom are strong and strong, and can pull out no less than 40,000 soldiers.
Zhang Yi seemed to take a sip of wine casually and said noncommittally: "The Bai Bo bandit army is just a small bandit. Although the bandit army has captured two counties, the mountains and ravines in Xihe are rampant and it is difficult to cultivate wasteland. Even if they gain power for a while, as long as they are surrounded, the thieves will The army is short of supplies and has no choice but to defeat itself. I wonder what Mr. Chen wants to do when he asks about this?"
"It is the county guard's duty to appease the local area." Chen Chong did not use words to investigate Zhang Yi's dereliction of duty, and continued: "As a two-thousand-stone official appointed by the imperial court, I am responsible for the safety of the people of the county. Now There are thirteen counties in the county, three of which were occupied by the Xiongnu. Two counties were occupied by bandits, and Ming Gong moved the county to govern. Although he was called the prefect, he was actually only half of the county. The people under his command were no more than ten thousand. One person and one life are very precious, so I came to see the governor, but I just want to ask for something."
Zhang Yi calmed down and asked, "What's the matter?"
Chen Chong said loudly: "Chong is willing to send out all the troops from Xihe County and cross the river to recover the two counties! I hope the governor will agree."
This is to ask for military power. Zhang Yi came to a conclusion, but he didn't have any excuses to block Chen Chong back. He suddenly realized something and said with tears of gratitude: "Chen Jun came here for this reason! I can't help but be very happy for the people of Xihe!" His face immediately changed and he showed a troubled expression: "It's just that I don't know how Chen Jun came here in the first place. I am from Bingzhou. How can the governor not have the worries of the people in his heart? It's just that he is powerless."
"Why?"
"If we want to suppress the bandit army, there are three difficulties." Zhang Yijing said calmly and calmly: "Xihe has been in chaos for many years, and it is also responsible for appeasing the Qiang and Hu. As you said, of the thirteen counties in Xihe, only eight of them are the imperial court. Moreover, Xihe is poor and difficult to cultivate, so it is sparsely populated and has only three thousand county soldiers. However, the rebel army is made up of tens of thousands of people, and there are more than ten thousand elite soldiers. The enemy is numerous and we are few, which is a difficulty."
"Furthermore, the rebel army captured the two counties of Yuanyin and Yuanyang. The two cities are located to the north and south of the Yuan River and echo each other. I have mobilized all the troops from Bingzhou to suppress the rebellion, but although the two cities are simple and crude, they still make it difficult for our army to look after each other. , and there are relatives hiding in the counties and counties who know the whereabouts of my king's division. The favorable location and people are all owned by the bandits. This is a two-pronged problem."
"Finally, the imperial court has ordered me to take charge of recruiting the Xiongnu. This is a national matter and is related to the safety of Liangzhou. I will do my best to ensure this. So not only will Mr. Chen not be able to get money or food from me, I will also get money from the county." Then transfer some money and food to supply the Hu army. The soldiers and horses move first, and the food and grass go first. If Chen Jun has no food and grass, how can he quell the banditry? This is three difficulties."
Having said this, Zhang Yi glanced at Chen Chong meaningfully, feeling smug in his heart. These are all true facts. Even if Guan Zhong is reincarnated, I am afraid there is nothing he can do in this situation. As the saying goes, it is difficult to make a meal without rice. If you want to seize power from Zhang Yi at this stage, Zhang Yi must not give in. What can "Xiping Longshou" do?
Unexpectedly, Chen Chong showed an excited look and smiled at Zhang Yi: "It turns out that Duke Ming can still charge three thousand soldiers from the county. If I can get one thousand soldiers and horses according to my original intention, it will be enough. Don't worry, Lord Ming, you don't need money or food. With just these three thousand soldiers and horses, Chong can restore the two counties within half a year, and I hope Ming Gong will do it!"
This statement was beyond Zhang Yi's expectation. He looked at Chen Chong with suspicion and asked again and again: "Chen Jun, are you serious? As long as these three thousand county soldiers can wipe out the bandits in these two counties? This is a major military and national event." Sun Tzu begins. There is a saying: Soldiers are important matters of the country, the place of life and death, and the way of survival. There is no joke in the army. Is Mr. Chen really going to go?"
Chen Chong looked calm and smiled at Zhang Yi: "Ming Gong has doubts about what I said, just because I once advised the emperor and had objections to the conscription of the Xiongnu. But now that the edict has been issued, I also From this, when you are an official in the same dynasty, you serve the people and serve the court. If the Duke of Ming Dynasty needs Chen Chong, he will die without hesitation!"
The implication is that as long as these three thousand county soldiers are available, he can give in to everything else. Zhang Yi thought about the profit and loss, and thought that since Chen Chong had expressed his position like this, he did not want money, food and support from other county soldiers, and there would be no quarrels in recruiting the Xiongnu. With Chen Chong's demands being so low, Zhang Yi, as the governor, also It is not appropriate to make forceful gestures with the county governor.
Comparing this, Zhang Yi nodded to Chen Chong and said: "Since Chen Jun insists on it, I can't stop him. As Chen Jun said, every life of a soldier in a border county is precious. I hope Chen Chong will do it." After you think about it again, I will wait for Chen Jun’s news in Lishi.”
Chen Chong accepted the order solemnly, and Zhang Yi immediately called Zhang Yang and asked Zhang Yang to lead Chen Chong and others to order troops. Three thousand men and horses were neither too much nor too little. Zhang Yang apologized to Chen Chong and said that the governor had arrived in a hurry. It would take two days to mobilize troops. Chen Chong was not impatient and asked Zhang Yang to help arrange it. He just waited carefully.
Sitting on the carriage, Chen Chong couldn't help but laugh a little when he recalled Zhang Yi's coy behavior in the house. He saw Xu Shu taking time to read aside, which was the "On the State System" he had completed a few days ago, and asked with a smile: "Yuan Zhi, based on what you have seen, what do you think of the governor?"
Xu Shu's expression did not change, he put down the book and said: "What the prince said, he said it without considering the left and right, he was duplicitous and had no fixed opinion. He was just a mediocre person. In normal times, it could be maintained for the time being. But today, it is just a mediocre talent." It is bound to be bad. Teachers should stay away from them."
This remark was very much what Chen Chong meant. He sighed: "There are beetles everywhere, and the state affairs are difficult. Wen Chang, Yuan Zhi, and Rendu, we can only start from the beginning, starting from everyone and everything, and don't be too ambitious. We We are in the West River, but we want to be successful in the east of Mount Tai. The rivers and lakes are thousands of miles away, so we must not relax at all times!"
