Taiyuan Shanxi.
Li Bin, the right political counselor, hurriedly entered the chief envoy's office and saw Ding Jingfu, Ru Yu and others discussing the matter of the White Lotus Sect in Shaanxi, so he stood aside and listened.
Ru Yu pointed at the map of Shaanxi with her finger and said seriously: "This area of Motian Ridge has high mountains and dense forests. If you attack from the bottom of the mountain, you will only be killed by stones and wood thrown from the mountain. If you attack by force, you will suffer countless losses."
Ding Jingfu agreed with Ru Yu's point of view, but he just raised doubts: "Sir, this King Vajra slave was defeated by Marquis Changxing and fled with more than a thousand remnants. In just three years, how can he attract more than ten thousand believers?"
Rujun sighed and said, "Don't talk about Shaanxi. Even in Shanxi, there are many followers of the White Lotus Sect among the people, right?"
"this……"
Ding Jingfu's expression changed. There were White Lotus cultists in his territory. If it rose to a certain level, it would mean that he was not able to govern well and his discipline was not strict, and he would need to take on leadership responsibilities.
Rujun did not pursue Ding Jingfu's dereliction of duty, but put forward his own conjecture: "When he was in Xinzhou, the people said that it was because the government was incompetent and unfaithful, but White Lotus was united and trustworthy, so they would rather believe in the White Lotus Sect than the White Lotus Sect. Government. This is especially true for White Lotus Cultists in Shanxi. It may not be too difficult to recruit a team in Shaanxi."
Ding Jingfu nodded heavily, you are right.
But how do you look at the map? It's just a poor ravine. Ten thousand people stay on the mountain. What do they eat? If there are really 10,000 people, Wang Jingangnu has already attacked Wenxian County. Will he wait until Wenxian County to attack it himself?
Besides, the Wenxian garrison only had a thousand men. Wu Hui was so confused that he did not dare to use a thousand men to attack ten thousand.
There is something very strange about this.
But the documents from Shaanxi cannot be fake, and the military information flying all over the sky does not seem to be fake.
Ding Jingfu had a headache and said unwillingly: "Shaanxi is going to war, why should we, Shanxi, provide food? They have so much food in Guanzhong Plain!"
Rujun pointed to the northwest of the map and sighed: "Shaanxi is very different."
For the Ming Dynasty, the importance of Shaanxi is self-evident. Not to mention that it was the land of the thirteen dynasties such as Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. In terms of topography, the entire ancient dynasty did not have the best terrain here. place.
With the situation dominating the world, such comments are by no means nonsense for Shaanxi.
It is bounded by a central plain with fertile soil, surrounded by mountains and rivers. There is the danger of the Flood River outside, Ba and Shu in the west, and the advantage of Daima in the north... It is also an important defensive area. As long as a few core passes are contained, such as Hangu Pass and Tongguan, no one can reach Guanzhong. .
For Ming Dynasty, this is the most important northwest barrier.
In fact, Shaanxi does not only have a capital commander and history department, but also a line capital commander and envoy department. It is precisely because of the existence of the line capital commander and envoy department that Shaanxi has always been quite nervous in terms of food supply.
Shaanxi Capital Command Shi Division mainly includes the Xi'an Three Guards, the Yan'an Guards, the Hanzhong Guards, the Pingliang Guards, the Suide Guards, the Ningxia Guards, and the Jiezhou Guards...
The Shaanxi Xingdu Commandery Department mainly includes Yongchang Guard, Liangzhou Guard, Zhuanglang Guard, Xining Guard, Shandan Guard, Suzhou Guard...
Where is Suzhou Guard? It is over Jiayuguan, west of Jiuquan. This is already the western part of Gansu.
The climate there is not good to begin with. Coupled with drought, hail, sandstorms, frost, and heavy rains and floods, it is a blessing to be able to produce several bushels of food from one acre of land in a year.
But boundaries still need to be guarded, and people always have to eat.
Shaanxi supply.
This is the only way. If the harvest is good, there is no need to bother the brothers in Xi'an to travel thousands of miles to deliver food. If the harvest is not good, then I can only feel wronged to you.
When Song Sheng was guarding Liangzhou before, Shanxi merchants Chang Qianli had transported grain all the way. Wasn't the grain also prepared from Shanxi? It was because Shaanxi didn't have enough grain, so it was a bit difficult to support it.
After all, not only the army eats the food in Guanzhong, but the people also need to eat, and prices must be kept stable.
Therefore, many times, when Shaanxi needs to use a large army, it will inform Shanxi and the court in advance, hoping to have logistical guarantees.
Ding Jingfu knew this problem, but the problem was that the food in Shanxi was not piled up like a mountain and could be given to anyone who gave it. This also required preparation, deployment, and replenishment.
"Then give him food?"
Ding Jingfu felt a little sore.
Rujun shook his head slightly and said: "I won't give it for now. Let's look at the follow-up battle report of Shaanxi before making a decision. However, we can make some advance preparations."
Ding Jingfu could only nod.
Seeing that the matter had been finalized, Li Bin no longer paid attention to the matter of transporting grain, but said: "There is news from Dusi Yamen that more than 20,000 people from Shaanxi have been mobilized and are gathering towards Wen County. The matter may be more serious than we imagined. .”
Rujun looked stern and said in a deep voice, "No matter what, Shaanxi cannot be in chaos. Order the governor's office, summon all the guards, increase training, and prepare the army for war. If King Vajra's slaves run around and cause chaos, and Shaanxi cannot suppress it, then we can't Don’t take action!”
These four words, "Fleeing and creating chaos", are very crucial and very appropriate.
When Wang Jingangnu rebelled before, he fled to several places. Although he did not leave the borders of Shaanxi, he still caused trouble in several houses. This time it was coming so violently that there was no telling where they could run with their legs.
It is better to be prepared than to be careless.
News of the war in Shaanxi spread like wildfire, reaching thousands of households through roadside news reports.
Chang Qianli, who was sitting in Taigu, also keenly sensed something unusual, and ordered people to invite Hou Xiyu, who was a guest at Chang's house, to discuss countermeasures.
Hou Xiyu had been to Sichuan and Sichuan and walked through the Yinping Ancient Road. He knew that the terrain there was extremely difficult to attack. He said seriously: "If King Vajrayana really gathers more than 10,000 people, then not only Shaanxi will be in danger, but even Sichuan and Shu will be frightened."
Chang Qianli asked with some confusion: "Wang Jingangnu is really so capable of attracting so many believers in just three years? Why do I feel that there is something weird about this?"
Hou Xiyu sighed: "The White Lotus Sect is good at deceiving people, and the people in the mountains are illiterate. If they are told too much, they will join the White Lotus Sect. It is not impossible for them to pull up a team of ten thousand people. Brother Chang Have you forgotten what happened three years ago?"
Of course, Chang Qianli cannot forget it, but the problem is that three years ago, Wang Jingangnu and others rebelled together. It was the gathering of several White Lotus Sect forces that reached a scale of more than 10,000 people, but now there is only one Wang Jingangnu. , it’s really surprising.
"To be able to escape the pursuit of the imperial army and survive for several years without death. This King Kongnu must have some skills. Let me tell you, Shaanxi Dusi will suffer a big loss."
Hou Xiyu sighed.
Chang Qianli frowned slightly and said, "Maybe this is also our opportunity."
Hou Xiyu picked up the tea cup and said with a smile: "Don't you think you've taken a fancy to the Zhongyin Ping Ancient Road? This is indeed an opportunity, but it may not be feasible in a year and a half."
Wang Jingangnu is a remnant of the White Lotus Cult. Although he is very powerful, he will definitely be eliminated by the court. Hou Xiyu has no doubt about this. But the problem is that Wang Jingangnu, who occupies a strategic position, will definitely cause a lot of losses to the Shaanxi Dusi. It may still be a protracted war.
Chang Qianli laughed heartily and did not agree with Hou Xiyu's pessimism, saying: "Three months, within three months, King Vajra slave will be destroyed."
"Oh, why not give it a try and see who has a more unique vision."
Hou Xiyu thought about the terrain of Motian Ridge and said confidently.
Chang Qianli did not hesitate, nodded and said: "The lottery is not important, just bet on Shili Hongzhuang."
"Shili Hongzhuang?"
Hou Xiyu was stunned.
Chang Qianli raised his brows and said, "If I win, Qianqian will get married, and you will give her a dowry of ten miles. If you win, if Baiye gets married, I will give you a dowry of ten miles."
Hou Xiyu laughed and agreed.
The so-called bet is just to win a smile.
Both of them knew very well that no matter whether they win or lose, the marriage between Chang Baiye and Hou Qianqian will be held on a scale beyond what the world knows, because it is a marriage between two wealthy families!
Pingyang Mansion, Anyi.
Yang family.
Wealthy businessman Yang Hefu jumped up to the scene and looked panicked. He asked Yang Qu, the butler who reported the news, "Is this serious?"
Yang Qu cried sadly and replied: "Sir, it has been spread outside that Wenxian County has been lost, Qianhu Wuhui died in the battle, and Wang Jingangnu has led his team to Lueyang."
Yang Hefu didn't expect that the White Lotus Sect would make such a big movement this time. It would appear suddenly like thunder and lightning, catching everyone off guard.
It stands to reason that Anyi is still far away from Wenxian and Lueyang, and there is Xi'an Prefecture in between. No matter how ferocious Wang Jingangnu is, it will be difficult for him to come to Pingyang, Shanxi, but the problem is that the Yang family has a lot of business in Shaanxi... …
Entering Tongguan from Anyi, you will enter Weinan and Xi'an. This is a good place for doing business. A month ago, Yang Hefu ordered his eldest son to go to Lueyang to discuss business matters with Sichuan and Sichuan merchants. Now that he is fine, his son is probably stuck in Lueyang.
At this time, reports came from outside the door, and many merchants came to inquire about Shaanxi news.
How could Yang Hefu have such thoughts? He sent Yang Qu to deal with it.
So the merchants learned from Yang Qu that the White Lotus Sect was powerful and had become popular, and the imperial army was repeatedly frustrated. The news quickly spread from the merchants to the ears of Anyi's prominent families, wealthy households, village chiefs, rich peasants, and farmers.
Chen Mu pushed open the firewood door and placed the hoe he was carrying beside the half-man-high earth wall. Before he could say anything, his two sons and three daughters had already run out. His wife, Mrs. Zhao, also opened the door curtain, holding her hand on her apron. He wiped it and said, "The food will be ready soon."
Chen Mu picked up his youngest daughter and talked and laughed with his children.
When night came, Chen Mu asked greedily, but Zhao just covered her mouth, her face turned red, and she made a deep whimpering sound. There was no way, there were too few rooms, and there were children next door. It was quiet at night, and any movement could easily spread.
While Chen Mu was still reminiscing, Mrs. Zhao hugged Chen Mu tightly and whispered: "The food at home is only enough for three days."
Chen Mu frowned, leaned over to look at Zhao, and said, "Have you heard the news? There is trouble in Shaanxi and there is a war going on. Shanxi may have to recruit migrant workers to transport food and wages to Shaanxi."
"ah?"
Zhao's beauty turned pale.
Chen Mu lay next to Mrs. Zhao, looking at the thatched roof shining with starlight, and said through gritted teeth: "Our family has offended the village chief. If migrant workers are recruited, our family will be the first to be dispatched. I thought about it, Cui Niang , how about we immigrate, leave here, and start over.”
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