In the capital, Wang Sihong, the Minister of Household Affairs, is at home, planning to allocate food and fodder to the frontline Prime Minister's 100,000 troops next month.
One hundred thousand horses is not a small number. The people eat horse chews, plus the consumption on the road to transport grain, all in all, it will cost nearly three hundred thousand shi of grain in total. The road to Shu is difficult, and you have to consider damage due to moisture. If you are prepared, you may need to prepare 500,000 shi.
Five hundred thousand shi of food is an astronomical figure for ordinary people. But for the imperial court that had just recovered the three vassal territories of Nanhuai, Donglu, and Chu and Xiang, although there were many, they could still be used.
The food brought by the servants was hot and hot, and Wang Sihong didn't take a bite. Finally, when it was getting dark, the plan was finished. Wang Sihong checked it several times, and after making sure it was correct, he breathed a long sigh of relief and sat back on the chair.
"Master, master, no, the young master is missing!" The housekeeper hurried into the study, shouting.
"Huh? Did you go out to play? Who did you go out with?" Wang Sihong had just finished planning the food rations for the front line. He was in a bad mood at this time. He took the cold food aside and asked calmly. .
The housekeeper shook his head and said, "No, sir! All the boys and girls at home are here, no one is going out, only the young master is missing!"
"Then let's go to the houses of Mr. Li and Mr. Chen. Maybe we can go to the young masters of these adults." Wang Sihong instructed.
The housekeeper nodded repeatedly, turned around and ran out quickly, arranging people to search for it.
Wang Sihong took a few mouthfuls of cold rice, frowned, picked up the hot tea next to him, and tasted it slowly.
After a while, the housekeeper left and came back: "Master, there is someone outside the house who wants to see you."
"Huh? It's so late, who is it?" Wang Sihong asked slowly. He was originally from the faction of Chen Song and Chen Taifu in the court, but since the death of Chen Taifu, the status of the household department in the court plummeted. Until Nanhuai, Donglu and others were recovered one after another, money, grain and taxes gradually increased. With money, the status of the household department has gradually increased. It’s not surprising that someone is looking for her now.
The housekeeper shook his head and said, "I don't know. The man refused to tell. He only said that he was looking for me from an old friend."
"Then let him come in." Wang Sihong ordered.
After a while, a man dressed as a scholar came to Wang Sihong's study, gently waving a paper fan: "The little man Cheng Pingshi pays homage to Mr. Wang."
Wang Sihong was not that old. He looked around a few times and confirmed that he did not recognize you. He asked, "I have never seen you before. Who are you? Why are you here to see me?"
Cheng Pingshi held up his hands and said: "Master Wang, I heard that Young Master Ling is missing. I know some clues and came here to report to you!"
Hearing this, Wang Sihong was startled and stared at Cheng Pingshi: "What do you mean?"
Cheng Pingshi said with a smile: "Since the Lord wants to know, the villain has the courage to tell the truth. The villain is from... Xigui, this is one. Secondly, Master Ling is very well now. There are people to accompany him to eat, drink and have fun. Please forgive me, sir."
"What do you want?" Wang Sihong was so shocked that his heart was beating wildly, but his face was as dark as water and he remained calm. Obviously, his son is now afraid that he has fallen into the hands of the other party.
Cheng Pingshi just chuckled and did not answer, which made Wang Sihong feel that his question was a bit unnecessary, but he did not dare to make a wild guess.
"You should know better than me what to do. After all, I don't know anything about money." Cheng Pingshi said softly with a smile, and turned to leave.
"Wait! How did you find me?" Wang Sihong hurriedly called to the other party.
Cheng Pingshi turned around, still smiling: "You shouldn't ask, sir, don't ask. As long as you satisfy us, Master Ling will naturally be sent back safe and sound." After that, he left without stopping.
From entering the house to leaving, there was not even enough time for a cup of tea.
Wang Sihong sat back on the chair, looking at the memorial that had been copied on the table, and heaven and man were at war in his heart. Although his son is a little naughty, he is his own flesh and blood after all. But if he has tampered with this matter, once the court finds out, he will be punished as treason...
That night, candlelight burned all night long in the study of Wang Sihong, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue...
Not only Wang Sihong, but also the houses of the Minister of War, Tu Youhui, the Minister of Personnel, Ma Si, and other important ministers were not at peace tonight. Although Cheng Pingshi was dressed as a scholar and looked like a scholar, in the dark night he was like a ghost, visiting people everywhere.
Not only the minister, but also the ministers of the six departments came to visit unexpectedly. In the homes of some ministers, visitors carry a heavy package when they enter, but are already alone when they come out...
After a busy night, at dawn, people who came out of the officials' homes gathered together in an inconspicuous small inn.
"Master Cheng, is this really useful? What if someone reports us..." Someone asked worriedly.
Cheng Pingshi took out a scroll from his arms, unfolded it slowly, checked it carefully again, rolled it up and put it away after confirming it was correct: "Chen Jing was originally the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment in the court, in charge of criminal law. These adults must not have personal relationships with him. There will be less. Moreover, Chen Jing is now hiding in Xigui like a bereaved dog. If the prince hadn't taken him in, where could he have gone in such a vast world? "
"You don't have to worry. We are just doing our best to obey fate. However, we must be on guard against others. It's over now. Let's leave quickly. If someone really accuses us, all our efforts will be wasted!" Cheng Pingshi chose Be prepared with both hands.
"So what should we do next?" asked another.
Cheng Pingshi took out a map, which was fully marked. The population, soldiers and horses, and even the narrow roads were all annotated in great detail.
"We have finished the work in the capital. Next, we will sneak into these cities separately. As for what to do, you should know very well. Chen Jing has written down the handles of hundreds of officials in the imperial court very clearly. Do it well, and we will The number one hero, Your Majesty, will never treat us badly!"
Cheng Pingshi said, took out a booklet from his arms, opened the whole booklet, and distributed a few pages to each person.
"Master Cheng...this...I got Wucheng and Yangcheng, but these two places are to the east and west, which is extremely inconvenient. Can I exchange them with others?" Someone looked at the address in his hand and asked aloud.
Cheng Pingshi shook his head and said: "No, I did this on purpose. You can hide from others by running around. If everyone gets it from nearby cities, I'm afraid you will be caught before you even leave the city. "
Everyone understood what Cheng Pingshi meant, no longer worried, and accepted their missions one after another.
"The task in hand for each of you is only to instigate rebellion in three or two cities. Once completed, return to Xigui immediately. Do not stay in the Central Plains for a long time. In case someone conspires to report the news and betrays you for glory. And you returned to Xigui a day earlier. You can also receive a reward from the prince as early as possible. If you dare to fight, remember to save your life and go back to spend it."
"Thank you, Mr. Cheng, for the reminder!"
"If I ever get rich and noble, I will never forget Master Cheng's great kindness."
"You are quite a nice person..."
Everyone agreed and without further words, left the room in twos and threes, ready to go back and rest for a while before setting off.
Cheng Pingshi sat alone in the room, with only two thin pieces of white paper left in the book in his hand: "This place is big, and someone needs to be here..." As he said this, he slowly unfolded the folding fan in his hand, and a man in green shirt The woman appeared on the fan, two drops of clear tears slowly falling...
…
A towering mountain suddenly appeared in front of Yi Xiaodao and others. Although it did not completely block the army's path, it would still take some time to go around it.
"Brother, why don't you leave?" Yi Xiaoling asked strangely when he saw Yi Xiaodao reining in his horse.
Yi Xiaodao looked back at Li Dingxing: "This mountain seems a little weird."
Hearing this, Li Dingxing rode his horse forward and walked closer, with Yi Xiaoling following closely to prevent any unexpected events. After a while, Li Dingxing and his wife returned, looking a little strange.
"What's wrong?" Yi Xiaodao asked.
Yi Xiaoling looked at Li Dingxing, and Li Dingxing said slowly: "Feng Nan's 10,000 Nanhuai Army...may be in this mountain. I found some footprints at the foot of the mountain over there. Judging from the marks, they should be our Nanhuai Army." combat boots."
When the Nanhuai Army went on an expedition, the Yulin Army uniforms and armor promised by Emperor Zhao Yizhi had not yet been distributed, and the Nanhuai Army's uniforms and boots were still made by Nanhuai.
"Seriously?" Yi Xiaodao was a little excited. Suddenly there were ten thousand new troops, and it was difficult for anyone to calm down.
Li Dingxing frowned and said, "But brother, look, all the vegetation on the mountainside has been cut down..."
Yi Xiaodao looked up, and sure enough, there was a bare area halfway up the mountain, which was obviously deliberately done. Yi Xiaodao suddenly realized: "Is this to...prevent an attack on the mountain?"
"Yes, that's right. The cut trees can be stored on the top of the mountain to be used as rolling logs. And if a large area is cut off halfway up the mountain, if the enemy wants to attack at the foot of the mountain, it will be difficult to do so. It is indeed very difficult to be so cautious. It's like Feng Nan's character." Li Dingxing nodded in affirmation.
Yi Xiaodao asked strangely: "But didn't you send him to lead 10,000 troops to take the northern route to capture Rongcheng? He did not go to capture Rongcheng, but instead occupied this mountain. What does this mean?"
Li Dingxing shook his head: "I don't know either. Logically speaking, Chen Guang and Feng Nan are our old Nanhuai generals and they won't have other thoughts. But now that wars are happening frequently, I can't guarantee that he doesn't have other thoughts. "
Yi Xiaodao stood down from his horse and reached out to touch the Siqing Sword at his waist out of habit, but his touch was empty. Only then did he realize that he had placed the Siqing Sword beside Fu Qing's coffin to accompany her.
"Forget it, there's nothing to be afraid of." Yi Xiaodao took a deep breath and said to Li Dingxing without being sentimental: "Okay, I'll go up and take a look. You and your army will be stationed here and wait for me to come back."
"Go alone? You will show off!" Yi Xiaoling said dissatisfiedly from the side: "I will go with you. After all, I am still Mrs. Zhongyi. He dare not do anything to me."
Li Dingxing also nodded: "Yes, big brother, Ling'er will go with you so that you can take care of me."
Yi Xiaodao had no choice but to agree: "Okay, let's go."
Before the two of them left, they saw Man Yong trotting up to a few people: "Master...Master, my wife asked you to bring...bring this." As he said that, he raised the Siqing Sword in his hand.
"This...I didn't put it..."
"This sword has been rolling down from the coffin. The master's wife said... this is the meaning of Fu... Fu Nuxia, asking you to take it with you..." Man Yong explained.
Yi Xiaodao hesitated for a moment, then slowly reached out and took the Siqing Sword, holding it cold...
