When you are in charge of the government of a country, you will know that everything is difficult.
Dahua's territory spans six thousand miles, and it will cost 900,000 taels of silver just to build a post road connecting the north and the south.
There are thirty million residents in the twenty-six counties, and the people eat three more meals a month, which requires six million dan of food a year.
During the Pingzhou flood, the imperial court allocated 1.2 million taels in batches. So far, it has only completed the resettlement of the victims and the cleanup of the old city. The road to rebuilding the abandoned site is still far away.
After the Suzhou War, more than 21,000 soldiers died in Anxian County, and nearly 50,000 soldiers were seriously injured and returned home. Another 3.2 million taels were spent on pensions for the dead and resettlement of the injured.
The marching drills of the White Horse Army, Shenshao Camp, and King Wu's Army also cost a lot of money every day.
Although he cared for the people and inspired to strengthen the country, he always felt that his power was insufficient. Xia Chengxuan was not satisfied with his role as emperor.
"King Wu's army has been in a stalemate with Mu Danqing's Baishan Army in Binan for more than half a year. Managing the army, deploying defenses, training troops, supplying people, and improving people's livelihood are all heartbreaking. One can imagine the hardships involved. Although Chengcan always reports good news, he does not report it. Worry, everything is shouldered, but the court should do something for them." During lunch time, Xia Chengxuan did not dare to be idle. He thought about the situation in southern Xinjiang and suddenly had a headache.
While I was worried, the deacon came to report that someone with a red sleeve order came to see him.
"Zhang Suiguang?" Xia Chengxuan's eyes narrowed.
The leader, also known as a sign, is used to convey messages and identify oneself at the gates of large households. Their uses are often distinguished by shape and color. There were nine kinds of sleeve orders in Prince Jaw's palace at that time. Among them, the red sleeve order was given to Zhang Suiguang by Xia Chengxuan in Ling Chengzhai last year.
With this sleeve order, you can enter the palace, and the deacon will notify you immediately according to the regulations without delay.
At that time, Xia Chengxuan urgently needed what Jiudian had to bring down Prince Yun's palace, so he had no choice but to make a deal with Zhang Suiguang. As a token, he wanted to take away a red sleeve order.
"Take it to my study."
Although he was a hundred reluctant, he had the handle and it was really unavoidable.
"Don't let anyone see it." After giving the instruction, he threw down the bowls and chopsticks in his hands and went straight to the study.
... ...
Mei Si'en and Wushi Taoist people had both been away from the capital for a long time. They rode on horseback and looked at the familiar scenery on both sides of the street, and couldn't help but feel filled with emotion.
"In terms of prosperity, nothing can compare to the capital city." Taoist Wushi held the reins in one hand and pointed with the other, nodding his head in praise.
Before settling in Tianshuang County, he traveled all over the world and saw all the mountains and rivers. Comparing it now, he still thinks the capital city is the best, "Look at the smoke and smoke, the smell of the world... It's so beautiful!"
Before Mei Si'en could comment, the fat Taoist priest had jumped off his horse, led his horse to the roadside and tied it up, then sat down at the nearby snack stall, pointed at the hot soup in the pot and muttered: " Here are two big bowls of wontons, and a little more broth."
Seeing the stall owner staring at his forehead with suspicion, Taoist Wushi explained: "Old man, we are not monks, so feel free to serve the meat."
After saying that, he lowered his neck and leaned his shiny bald head over to show him. Although there is no hair on the top of his plump head, there are no scars, so he is not a member of the Buddhist sect.
With his doubts gone, the stall owner smiled and returned to the stove, playing with a spoon and bowl.
At this time, Mesien had also settled the horses, sat down opposite him, and said with a look of disdain: "I wish you had worn a bun earlier, it would have saved a lot of trouble along the way."
The Taoist Wushi liked to eat meat and fish, and it could be said that he did not like meat and did not like it. Most of the fat on his body was from eating it. During these days of traveling, every time I visited a store, I couldn't help but wonder when the monk dared to break the precepts so blatantly. The fat Taoist priest has done this thing of bowing one's head in caution, maybe eighteen times, if not twenty times.
"Everything in the world is born from existence, and existence is born from nothingness. What you see may not be true, and what you have not seen may not be true. Hehe, you will know it later." Taoist Wushi said, holding the bowl in his left hand and chopsticks in his right hand. After finishing this sentence, he started to slurp up the soup.
The two left the inn early in the morning, walked for half an hour before reaching the city gate, and waited in the cold wind for more than half an hour before crossing the customs clearance platform. They were already suffering from cold and hunger. When it comes to the most delicious thing in the world, it has to be a hot meal when you are hungry and cold.
"Yeah, yeah, delicious! Delicious!" Taoist Wu Shi said this out of his mouth.
The boss brought another bowl of meat wontons and placed it in front of Me Si'en. The aroma wafted into his mouth and nose with the steaming heat, tempting his appetite.
"Thum~thum~thum~thum~" came the rapid sound of horse hooves, and more than ten steeds passed by the small food stall at high speed. Unfortunately, a splash of wet mud fell into Mei Si'en's soup bowl. middle.
"Stop!" a voice suddenly shouted.
Taoist Wushi quickly stood up and grabbed Mei Si'en, urging him: "Oh, Mei, forget it, I'll exchange a bowl with you, don't cause any trouble."
His temperament followed his appearance, and he was naturally of the same sect as Xini. Although he came from a Taoist sect, he lived like a Bodhisattva.
"I'm not making trouble." Mei Si'en picked up the sword on the table and said seriously, "If I don't fight when there is injustice, the evil people will be more emboldened and they will bully others again in the future. I learn martial arts to put an end to injustice in the world. .”
Remembering his original intention of teaching him martial arts, Taoist Wushi smiled awkwardly, let go of his hand, and stood beside him silently.
In the winter seven years ago, Mei Si'en found a job copying books for a wealthy family named Yi Zhong. The agreed-upon thirteen volumes of "Lan Ke Jing" and their annotations were copied out years ago, and the labor and wages were three taels of silver. After more than two months of hard work, and a lot of lamp oil and ink blocks, I finally handed in the manuscript on time. However, the victim continued to provoke and refused to pay. Mei Si'en was so angry that he came to ask for help and was beaten and kicked out by the servant of the house.
He had been beaten several times by gangsters for standing up for the poor. He had been lying in bed for more than half a month and could not figure it out. After he recovered from the injury, he practiced some boxing and kicking skills with Taoist Wu Shi, and then gradually developed internal skills and sword skills. Law.
With martial arts at his side, Mei Si'en has never been bullied by anyone again.
"Uncle Mei, my sister, and my brother-in-law asked Uncle Yunyao to teach me martial arts because they were worried that my nosy temper would cause disaster, and they wanted me to be able to protect myself when I was in danger."
After hearing the sound of shouting, more than ten people rode away and came back. They stopped in front of the stall and looked at the formation, which was quite intimidating. At the front of the team was a young man with a mustache. He looked like he was in his twenties. Although he was dressed in fine clothes, his face was slovenly. He jumped off the horse and looked at the two of them. When he saw Mei Si'en, his expression was quite suspicious. , asked: "This dear friend, who just called us?"
"You rode too fast, and the horse's hooves splashed mud into my bowl." Methien said coldly.
The man with the mustache took a look and saw that the white soup in the bowl was turbid. He laughed, picked up the bowl and drank the soup in one gulp. Then he took out a piece of broken silver from his pocket and put it on the table. He shouted to get out of the way. The stall owner, who was several feet away, said, "Seller, please serve two more bowls in the same manner. This is the meal money."
Just as Mei Si'en was slightly stunned, the man clasped his fists and said, "Sorry for bothering you. We still have important things to do, so we need to take the first step."
After saying that, he got on his horse and led a group of people away quickly.
"Hehe, the people from the Xu family in Ruozhou are really good." Taoist Wushi returned to his seat and sat down, murmuring.
... ...
"Who are you?" Seeing that the visitor was not Zhang Suiguang, Xia Chengxuan frowned and asked, "Why is there a red sleeve order?"
Song Hongfeng knelt down and worshiped: "Song Hongfeng, a common man, has been ordered by Gang Leader Zhang to pay homage to His Majesty the Holy Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"
Zhang Suiguang was a cautious person and naturally knew how dangerous it was to have dirty information about the current emperor. Therefore, although he wanted to discuss a business deal with Xia Chengxuan, he did not dare to go to the palace in person.
"Oh?" Xia Chengxuan had thousands of thoughts running through his mind, but he only said a faint word.
When it comes to confidants, Li Xueci from the Yan Gang and Bodhicitta from the Nine Halls are not included. The two are not weak in martial arts and have a calm mind. But compared to loyalty, the person Zhang Suiguang trusts the most is Song Hongfeng. The real secret is It has always been left to him.
"Gang leader Zhang asked the people to submit a letter to the emperor." Song Hongfeng took out a small cylinder from his sleeve and held it in his hands. After receiving Xia Chengxuan's permission, he slowly stood up and presented it to him.
It was a bamboo letter.
Xia Chengxuan took the bamboo joint and squeezed it with strength. "Pop", the bamboo tube collapsed with a sound, revealing the letter paper inside. When I spread it out, there were only three lines of small characters on it: I would like to spend millions of stones of fine grain and 100,000 cattle and sheep to find the whereabouts of Mei and Xu. Also, please don’t give shelter to the Holy King.
In the battle of Hongshiwan, Zhang Suiguang attempted murder for the first time. After taking turns fighting Mei Yuanchen and Xu Suye, he naturally knew their capabilities and was eager to get rid of them quickly.
Xu Jinye fought with him head-on, without showing any signs of defeat within two hours. His combat power was far beyond that of the elders of the Salt Gang and the masters of the Nine Halls, and was only half a step weaker than him.
Mei Yuanchen was seriously injured, but he was still able to kill four salt gang elders in a row, and even protected Xu Jinye Zhouquan from his attack. His ruthlessness and decisiveness were even higher than Xu Er's. Looking at the situation that night, he noticed some hidden signs of the Mei Mansion's destruction.
"These two men are young and established. They have made great progress in martial arts. In time, they will become giants in the martial arts world. If I don't say it for a long time, even if I train them for another two or three years, their martial arts and internal strength will be able to catch up with mine. I Now that they have revealed their intention to kill them, they are also determined to kill me. If these two people are left alive, there will be endless troubles." After forcing out the "heart-loving Gu" in Hanzhou, Zhang Suiguang killed almost all of them. Efforts are focused on eliminating this problem.
Unfortunately, due to heavy snow falling in Xiahe and Fuyang counties for more than ten days, roads in various states and governments were blocked and information was not available, so the people from the Yan Gang and Jiudian lost all traces of Mei Yuanchen and Xu Suye. .
With Zhang Suiguang's wisdom, he could have guessed that the two of them had probably gone to the capital, but with Xia Chengxuan's protection, it was not easy to kill them.
Three months ago, Mei Yuanchen had just recovered from his serious injury. When he and Yun Xiaoyang left the capital, it was a perfect opportunity for a sniper attack. Xia Chengxuan did not want to send elite dead soldiers to escort them all the way. The two sides fought in secret for more than ten times, killing and injuring hundreds of people. .
"If you want to kill Mei Yuanchen, the little emperor will always have a hurdle that you can't get around."
After weighing several times, Zhang Suiguang decided to propose this new deal.
The 70,000 plant forest troops in the north of Dahua strictly guarded the defense line and did not dare to take a break. They were always on guard against the Snow Country cavalry taking advantage of the situation;
The 100,000-strong White Horse Army and the Anxian Outpost on the northwest Shatuo border are on alert, ready to kill Zhao Qianming and avenge Xia Muchao;
Xia Chengcan led the 120,000 Pinan post and the main force of King Wu's army to confront Mu Danqing at the national gate, and the war was about to break out.
The number of troops in these three places alone is nearly 300,000. Putting aside the rest, just for food, the three armies need 15,000 kilograms of rice and 900,000 kilograms of meat per month.
"Yes, what the imperial court lacks most is rice and meat."
Zhang Suiguang knew very well that because of his unauthorized pursuit of Mei Yuanchen, Xia Chengxuan hated him so much that he had no choice but to secretly plan to eliminate him. If he helps the court solve this difficult problem this time, it will allow him to see his usefulness again.
"Now that everything is unprepared, I still can't be an enemy of the Dahua court. Although this move deepened the young emperor's fear of the Salt Gang, it also made him have to rely more on the Salt Gang. He is an ambitious man, and knowing that I have With great use, you won't have to deliberately deal with me for the time being, and you can have a chance to breathe again."
The Salt Gang controls 80% of the world's private salt trade, 30% of the water operation business and 25% of the rice and grain trade. It has accumulated countless amounts over the years. The money left in the warehouse is just a pile of scrap metal, and the rice left in the granary is just a few more mice. If you can't afford it, these things will be useless.
"If the Four Kingdoms don't fight, it will be difficult for me to start an uprising. If I want the Four Kingdoms to start a war, I have to help Xia Chengxuan raise his troops and horses. The stronger his troops and horses are, the deeper and longer the war with the Three Kingdoms will be. When the Four Kingdoms are at war, I take advantage of the opportunity. By accumulating food and refining armor diligently, by the time the war ends, the soldiers and civilians will be destitute in all directions. At that time, the Salt Gang will wave their flag and gather their forces in one place, and they can attack several counties with lightning speed as a base, and then slowly Plan for the aftermath."
The world... ...who doesn't want the world if he is capable.
"Xia Ruren founded the Great China Dynasty with less than 10,000 people. What I, Zhang Suiguang, have today is far better than what I had then, so why can't I succeed!"
He is not only a master, leader, and killer, but also a shrewd businessman who knows how to make profits. It was a deal in which everyone had to pay and everyone got what he needed, and he expected Xia Chengxuan would not give up.
"Hmph, go back and tell Zhang Suiguang that I, Xia Chengxuan, will never make deals with anyone, and I will tell him to give up! If the Yan Gang dares to deal with Yuan Chen, I will gather officers and soldiers to wipe out several of your lairs in Danyang City and Hanzhou. Clean!" Xia Chengxuan tore the note into pieces, pointed at Song Hongfeng and yelled.
Although the situation is difficult, it is far from a desperate situation. Mei Yuanchen is one of his few remaining relatives and an emotional sustenance that he cannot let go of.
"I am ashamed of myself. Even if we work together for the benefit of the country, it will not be easy."
Xia Chengxuan put his hands on the desk, trembling slightly and looking furious.
"Haha, please think twice, Your Majesty." Song Hongfeng said calmly, "Hu Xiwei and the others are still in our hands. If they tell Mei Yuanchen what happened at the Anxian Salt Transport Government Secretary's house that night... ...Haha, but the emperor and Mr. Mei have a deep brotherly relationship, so maybe he doesn’t hold a grudge after hearing this.”
The next moment, Xia Chengxuan collapsed on the seat as if someone had caught his weak spot, with a ferocious face as if he had seen the most terrifying beast in the world.
Hu Xiwei... Chu Zhong sent people to Jinzhou to check, and it was found that Hu Xiwei was not among the many corpses.
"Zhang Suiguang not only kept one hand alive! He also kept Hu Xiwei alive."
