In West County, Hanzhong, Xiang Xun prepared with great concentration and was determined to devote all his strength to a fierce offensive and defensive battle. The entire southwestern army, both on the front and rear, including newly restored prefectures and counties, were all tied into chariots and exerted their own strength. utility.
In Xiang Xun's plan, the attack and defense of Xi County was the last battle after winter, so he simply resorted to military force to make the final decision. As the commander-in-chief of the expedition against Shu, he naturally knew that the goal of the emperor and the court was only in Hanzhong, and Xiang Xun decided on the method of war.
Although there is Nanzheng after Xixian, in Xiang Xun's view, if Xixian is captured, Nanzheng is not a problem at all, especially after comprehensive information about Shu's response and deployment.
Xijing, Luoyang.
After more than three years of governance by Jingfan, prosperity has been restored and continues to develop. In recent years, the Han Dynasty has experienced constant natural disasters, but all kinds of disasters have never happened. It can be described as good weather. Therefore, Luoyang City has achieved great governance for the first time in decades.
After all, it is Xijing, an ancient capital with thousands of years of political status. A large number of nobles from the dynasty chose to settle here. Most of the officials and bureaucrats settled here, and most of the meritorious officials settled here. With these people taking the lead and a stable social environment, a prosperous Luoyang City will naturally emerge.
Today, Luoyang City alone has a population of more than 300,000, making it the second largest city in the Han Dynasty after Kaifeng.
Since the beginning of winter, the biggest thing in Luoyang City has been the replacement of people left behind in Xijing. Jing Fan, who came to Beijing to report on his duties, was retained and promoted to the governor of Kaifeng, while Liu Cheng, who trusted Liu Bei, after careful consideration, selected Tenghou Wang Yan.
This matter has touched the hearts of many people, especially the nobles who have settled here. Where the rich and powerful gather together, privileges are often rampant. When Jing Fan was in power, he was the least afraid of these people. He also suppressed illegal things and took advantage of them to death.
In fact, there is not much difference between Jing Fan and Shi Hongzhao's attitude towards nobles. It's just that he will not take revenge for personal gain, and he will be reasonable in Luo Zhi's case. Regardless of whether they are nobles, landowners or merchants, they will not object to developing industries or purchasing land, as long as they follow the rules.
But if it breaks the law and falls into his hands, there will be absolutely no favoritism. Therefore, Jing Fan also offended many people during his years in Zhenluo, and many nobles whose privileges were devalued because of him were also dissatisfied with him.
Now, Jing Fan's stubborn stubbornness has finally been changed, and many people have subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, and their minds have become calmer. At the same time, the ordinary people in Luoyang were also reluctant to give up. Jingfan had a good reputation as an official and was an upright person. When he was in power, he at least loved the people and tried his best to maintain relative fairness.
The new left-behind man, Wang Yan, had a meritorious background and was a newly rising generation of dignitaries in the Han Dynasty.
Since Wang Yan took office, the left-behind mansion in Xijing has resumed its hustle and bustle, at least not as deserted as when Jing Fan was in office. Recently, it has become even more crowded, with countless visitors coming to ask for help, but very few of them can be received.
Two ornately decorated carriages came slowly along the street and stopped in front of the Liushou Yamen. In front of the gate, several ministers who Wang Yan refused to see had just been persuaded to leave. Looking at the two carriages, the gatekeeper couldn't help but reveal a trace of contempt in his eyes.
Two old men in brocade clothes got off the carriage. One was a tall man, with fat on his face and body, making him look a little bloated. The other person is thinner. However, both of them appear to be more confident and calm.
The two met and bowed, then stepped forward together and handed over the greeting cards. But before he opened his mouth, he saw the doorman waving his hands impatiently: "I've been staying here for a long time. I'm busy with official duties. No foreigners will come to visit. Please come back!"
The fat old man noticed the contempt in his eyes, and a trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he still endured it and did not get entangled with this brat. He smiled and said: "I am an old friend of your family who stayed behind. If others don't see you, I, he will definitely see you!"
"You little boy, don't make excuses, tell me quickly!" He said, taking out a piece of silver cake and two greeting cards, and handed them to him.
A trace of doubt flashed in the doorman's eyes. Seeing that he was confident, he took the murmur in his heart without hesitation and said, "Just wait, I'll report it right away. It's up to you whether I see you or not." Good luck!"
When he turned around, the doorman only had two greeting cards left in his hand.
Looking at the doorman who walked into the government office unhurriedly, the thin old man couldn't help but said coldly: "If in the early years of Qianyou, he was treated so poorly by such a small official, I could just catch him and put him in a bag and sink him into the river! What? Pigs and dogs!”
Seeing his angry eyes, the fat man smiled bitterly and said sadly: "Brother Xue, your temper needs to be changed. After all, things are different from the past. You see, if you lose your authority, even a mere doorman can control it." Let's wait! If he doesn't report it, can we still break into the left-behind Yamen?"
Of these two old men, the fat one is Hou Zhang, the former military governor of Huazhou, and the thin one is Xue Huairang, the former military governor of Tongzhou. No matter how you say it, there was once a state where one state was in control and the power was in one party, hence this sigh.
"Hmph!" Xue Huairang turned away and muttered: "I don't know if Wang Yan still cares about your friendship, otherwise he will be shut out!"
"Come here, bring the horse to me!" Hou Zhangze smiled faintly and ordered to the servant.
Behind the carriage, there was a majestic horse, neatly groomed, all white with not a speck of color on it.
"Brother Hou!" Xue Huairang couldn't help but ask, "Where did this horse come from?"
"The envoy from Liangzhou bought it from the accompanying caravan, but it cost me a lot of money!" Hou Zhang said with a smile: "Wang Yan used to love swords and horses, but I don't know if he has changed after becoming rich!"
Hou Zhang and Xue Huairang, two authentic warriors, rose up in the late Jin Dynasty and joined the Han Dynasty. In order to win people's hearts, they worshiped them as Jiedu. However, these two people have the habits of warriors who mostly originated from humble beginnings. Once they became prominent, they became complacent, greedy and amassed, leading to bad governance and suffering for the people.
Especially Xue Huairang, when he was in Hebei, Liu Chengyou almost killed him because of his excessive collection and harsh administration that harmed the people. The latter two were sent to Guanzhong by the great ancestor Liu Zhiyuan, but they still did not restrain themselves. Naturally, they were not liked by Liu Chengyou and the court, which caused suspicion and suspicion.
Of course, the most inappropriate thing for the two of them was to be involved with Li Shouzhen in Hezhong at that time. Although during Li Shouzhen's rebellion, the two caused some substantial trouble to the court, and after the court launched a counter-rebellion army, they both acted honestly.
However, since there is peace in the river, how can these two Jiedu who are involved with the rebels be spared. Considering the domestic situation at that time, in order to appease other Jiedu after killing a big chicken, Liu Chengyou chose to treat Hou and Xue lightly, allowing them to buy peace with their family wealth and become officials with honors. , moved to Luoyang.
Although he lost his position and was unwilling to accept it, at least he saved his life. After arriving in Luoyang, relying on his early accumulation, he quickly purchased a number of land and industries.
Hou Zhang ran a manor, had several ships, sold porcelain, silk, medicinal materials, and was involved in many businesses. Xue Huairang opened several tea shops, restaurants and brothels in the city, and also organized a caravan to run to the northwest.
Over the years, the family property has become quite rich, and the two have actively integrated into Luoyang's noble groups, made good friends with many powerful children and relatives, and gained some fame.
This time, Wang Yanzhenluo naturally wanted to pay a visit. He didn't necessarily ask for anything extravagantly, but the relationship was good. Especially Hou Zhang, he, Zhao Hui and Wang Yan were the original "Shouyi Sanjiedu".
In the second hall of the stay-at-home residence, Wang Yan was dealing with official business, which was about a batch of Northeastern military rations.
"How much food is left in the treasury?" Wang Yan put down the official document in his hand and asked.
The subordinate replied: "Rice costs one hundred thousand shi, millet costs one hundred and fifty thousand, and wheat costs more than two hundred thousand..."
"So much!" Wang Yan was a little surprised, but quickly restrained himself and ordered: "Then send it to Guanzhong according to the amount!"
"yes!"
In recent years, Luoyang has had good weather, abundant crops, and good management of the scenery. The treasury has indeed accumulated a lot. Even if most of it is used by Tokyo, the rest can still be described as abundant.
"Hey..." Wang Yanze held his beard and sighed. It is said that a new official has three things to do when taking charge of such a city. Where should he start?
