Chapter 2 The sky is high and birds can fly

The sunshine in the afternoon is good, and it gives people a lazy feeling.

In the field outside Cuiliu Fort,

The blind man and Mr. Wen Sutong were lying there on a chair, with a small coffee table between them, and Yuexin was pouring tea.

There is also a long shelf lined up beside the two of them, with sausages hanging on them.

Hanging on the shelf on the left is smoked sausage. It tastes very full of flavor and is perfect for slicing and stir-frying.

Hanging on the shelf on the right is Qianguo-style sausage. It is made with lean meat as the main component and fat meat as the supplement, and is supplemented with grain and wine. After drying, the taste is hard and the taste is salty, but In the morning, two bowls of porridge and a plate of sausages are a real treat.

Both the blind man and Zheng Fan like this one, but Mr. Wen, who is from Qian Country, often eats the smoked one recently.

"My dear grandson, can we change the place to bask in the sun next time?"

"Why?"

"I am old."

"Huh?"

"Baking in the sun and smelling the smell of cured meat, I feel like I am almost drying out."

"I feel sad."

"That can't be done. I still have to watch my great-grandson be born."

"Don't you already have your great-grandson?"

The ancients gave birth early and raised children early. It is very common for children of four or five to become fathers. Of course, these are usually wealthy families with maids around them. If one day they can't help it, they will be killed by a stick or promoted. Young aunt.

"I only care about you and Yue Ya."

The blind man shook his head and said: "That's not possible. Old people usually like to kick their legs immediately after their wishes are fulfilled. In order to allow you to Live a little longer, I'm not in a hurry here."

"It is said that Emperor Yan is going to change his position." Wen Sutong took a sip from the tea cup. After all, his granddaughter was still there, and something happened. As an elder myself, it’s okay to mention it.

He actually enjoys the feeling of sitting around with his grandson-in-law. He has been a famous official in Donghua Gate for a long time, and he has stood in the front row of the court. Now he even commits adultery. Well, if a lifetime of experiences and stories could be brewed, the aroma of the wine would really intoxicate a person.

However, in front of this blind grandson-in-law, the old man always has a feeling that he has met his opponent, and he also thinks that this man has reservations.

I am an old wine, and the taste will eventually lose its taste, but my grandson-in-law is still storing it in the cellar, so even if I can’t taste it, I can touch and lean against it by the wine jar to learn about my taste. It is also a great pleasure for wine drinkers.

The blind man nodded,

said:

"There is a new atmosphere."

From the confrontation between Zhenbei Army and the imperial court at the beginning of the year , from horses stepping on the throne, to breaking the Jin Dynasty and swallowing the land, this year was really too rich for the Yan Kingdom.

Gai Yuan also has the intention of saying goodbye to the past and opening up together.The meaning of a new chapter.

"I estimate that Mr. Zheng should be able to at least become a guerrilla general this time."

"I thought you would persuade my master to change his position as a civilian."

It's just that in this world, the country of Qian was humiliated, so it is inevitable to improve the status of generals and develop armaments. , the civil war in Chu is about to begin, and the Situ family of Jin is also in a state of trembling.

Who can tell how long this Yan can maintain its power of burning oil?

It would be a pleasure to wear a Confucian shirt and write elegantly in the prosperous times, but at present, it is the grass-headed king who has soldiers and horses in his hands in the troubled times that is most real."

The old man saw clearly that the four countries are in a stalemate. The era has ended, and in the next sixty years, there will be another fight between the four countries.

“Of course we know this in our hearts.”

“Of course you know it. As for me, I won’t be able to help you much after entering Beijing this time. It’s just a clay statue. It looks bright, but it's just the same inside.

The Wen family that I left behind don't have the ability to fight on horseback, so forcing it on you is a burden. < /p>

But in the end, the pattern should be different. Based on this tribute, it is impossible for your Lord Zheng to open a government and build a government office. But what you want to do should generally be beyond what you are looking at. Limitations.

You should also understand some truths. Those who only know how to control soldiers are ultimately like martial arts. They are like duckweeds without roots. They look bright but cannot withstand any wind and rain. < /p>

We need to control the army, and we must also take care of people's livelihood. Both are indispensable."

"You are right."

For this kind of father-in-law, you are blind. Be respectful.

The old man also knew that when he went to Yanjing this time, he would probably stay there for several years, and it would be difficult to do anything remotely, so he babbled before leaving.

Not to mention checking for omissions and filling in the gaps, it can be regarded as the old man’s intention.

"In the Qianguo vassal town, the Western Army is the strongest, followed by the Zu family. But according to my opinion, the ancestor family will definitely develop more than the Xi Army in the future.

Looking at the fundamentals, The prosperity of the Western Army lies in the fact that when Xiang Miangong took charge of the Western Army, he forcibly merged many military sects and defined a hilltop around the battle site;

But the foundation of this hilltop is actually unstable, and the soldiers It's true that they have the horse in hand, but there are civil servants suppressing them above, and once the central center below strangles their supplies, they will be unable to move forward.

So they have to become a plaything in the hands of your gentlemen, and you can go west if you are told. Xi, if you are told to go north, you must go north, regardless of how much vitality the Xi army will lose by running around like this.

It is the Zu family, which is extremely respectful in name, but it is in charge. In the southeast, he also had a maritime trade business, and because he suppressed pirates in the southeast, he had great prestige in the hearts of the people in the southeast.

In the early years, he had money and food, and people and places in his hands. It's worryThe central government is afraid, so it has always been cautious.

This time the Yan people attacked Qian and fought all the way to Shangjing City. Emperor Qian issued a royal order. It can be said that the prestige of the center of Qian Kingdom has been destroyed.

Prestige may sound useless, but it is actually somewhat useful. When Zu Zhuming returns this time, you will see that the Zu Family Army will no longer be hiding it, and it is inevitable to recruit troops and buy horses to expand its strength. thing.

I have met Zu Zhuming. He seems to be gentle and has the style of a scholar and a handsome man, but in fact, he is like a dragon or a phoenix among men. He has a deep heart. People who have drifted on the sea are just like you Yan people in the desert. Galloping on the mountain, seeing the sky high, the sea and the vast land, my heart became wild.

Furthermore, for example, the previous clans of Yan were too dependent on Guizhou for their foundation. They thought that by controlling the land of Guizhou, they could truly replace the emperor's herdsmen. In fact, it was just wishful thinking. All the emperors of Yan must have No one wants to touch them, it's just that His Majesty has found an opportunity.

When it was time to take action, the 100,000 Zhenbei Army defeated the Great Yan Clan in less than a month, tsk tsk.

So, people still need two legs to walk steadily. They must learn from the ancestral family, not the Zhong family, let alone the Yan family, dreaming of being the right-hand man of the Ji family, supporting each other. ”

“You are right. "

"Of course, you may not be able to imagine what I said. From the first time we met to the time we returned to Yan together, and we have lived here for so long, let me speak from my heart.

When I look at other people, the higher their power, the greater their ambition. Only after seeing the dragon chair can I think about how it would feel to sit on it.

You are different. It seems that you have been determined to do the disobedient and sinful thing from the beginning. "

The blind man smiled and said:

"Actually, not really. "

"No? ”

“We just feel that living in a hazy way is too boring. What we think is that since we have finally been born in this world, we must make ourselves live a more exciting, comfortable and comfortable life. .

If you want to be at ease, you have to climb up. There is nothing you can do about it, and you don’t have to do anything disobedient. Let me tell you something from my heart. The position of the Ninth Five-Year Master is right. We, to my master, are really not that attractive, but we are hypocritically hoping that one day no one will be able to hold you down, so that you can live a comfortable life.

When I lie here basking in the sun, there are no dark clouds above my head. "

" Going around and around doesn't mean the same thing. Wen Sutong said angrily.

The blind man nodded somewhat sarcastically,

"It does mean the same thing." ”

“Actually, I don’t think very highly of you. ”

“I know. "

"But I broke the pot anyway. At such a long age, I have already considered life and death. Now I don't even have the extravagant hope of a name after my death, so I can just look at it as I like. Just for fun.

The gang mentioned earlierThe sons of the Wen family are not capable of riding or shooting, nor are they brave in martial arts, but they are one family after all. After I became an official, I experienced ups and downs in the officialdom and ended up with a good ending. The fundamental reason is that I am one of the few practical people in the officialdom of the Qian Kingdom.

I don’t like to talk too much. When I go to the Ministry of Household Affairs, I will count the money and food personally. No matter which Xianggong faction is in charge, there must be someone who can actually do things and know how to do them.

The craftsmen will not die of hunger in the lean years, and the same is true for officials.

These Wen family members don't have much talent for managing the world, but after joining the army, they worked as clerks and copywriters, and they are considered to be good hands. I have been trained to do this.

In the future, if your master is sent to guard the city, he will have to have some people who understand secular affairs to help him. In other words, we are all relatives, and we are also grasshoppers on the same rope. ”

“That is, that is. "

At this time, a few horses came outside.

The blind man said:

"The master is back. "

"Oh, the strangest thing about me is this. You are obviously blind and can't see, but you seem to be able to see everything. This cannot be explained by your current mind. . ”

“That’s true. "The blind man responded.

Yue Xin went to bring a chair over and made tea again. After Zheng Fan came and lay down, Yue Xin went to bring a chair for Siniang to sit on. , and he stood by to wait.

Zheng Fan touched the tea cup, and Si Niang got up and brought some ice cubes and a bowl of hot water. After going down, adding ice cubes, Zheng Fan picked it up and drank a large bowl.

Wen Sutong looked at Zheng Fan and said with emotion:

"After all, he is a young man with a lot of fire. "

When you are thirsty, drinking tea is not enough.

Zheng Fan lay down again. To be honest, the sun above his head was bright, but it was sandwiched between two silver coins, one old and one green. , I actually feel a bit sinister.

"After Xu Gong was promoted, I could have been directly promoted to guerrilla general, but it was said that Zhao Jiulang suggested that I should be appointed as a city guard in the new land of Jin. "

At this point, Zheng Fan couldn't help but laugh.

This is really like someone giving you a pillow when you fall asleep.

"That's a good feeling. . Wen Sutong was very happy and continued: "With the new arrival of Jin, people's hearts are unstable and the situation is unstable. It seems difficult, but in fact there is great freedom." "

If you want to live an honest life as an official, it is naturally best to stay under Xu Wenzu of Yinlang County. With Xu Wenzu eating a bite of meat, you will not be short of a mouthful of soup.

But in order to seek future development, you still have to have a piece of land of your own.

“If you go to Jindi, you must prepare well first. "The blind man said.

"Yes. "Zheng Fan nodded, "I told Xu Wenzu that as a Yan person, I should have the courage to be a pioneer.The awakening of the Jin Dynasty, the new land of Jin, naturally needs people to guard the new land well, so that it can completely become the land of Yan. "

"What did Xu Wenzu say? "Wen Sutong asked.

"Xu Wenzu was very moved, and then rejected my request to recruit new soldiers. ”

This time when they went south, Cuiliu Fort’s 2,500 cavalry followed the Zhenbei Army and suffered nearly a thousand casualties. It can be said to be a real injury.

Originally, A group of Liangjiazi recruits have been trained in Nanwang City. Replenishing the soldiers of each family is the proper meaning of the title.

But Xu Wenzu saw that Zheng Fan planned to "fly to higher and farther places."

He decisively weaned Zheng Fan.

As the governor of a place, he naturally had no reason to adopt a child.

“This time. Thousands of cadres came with us from Chuzhou City and surrendered. "Wen Sutong said.

"I don't want the puppet army. "

What kind of combat effectiveness do the puppet troops have?

This group of people has also been stereotyped. They will kneel when the Yan people come, and they will definitely kneel in future wars. There is really not much value in training. .

The reason why Wen Sutong said this was because he thought that the more people in Zheng Fan's team, the better. However, Zheng Fan refused directly, even though he did not understand what the puppet army meant. , but after thinking about it, it is clear that it is a bad word.

"My subordinates heard that the Jin Dynasty should be controlled by the Marquis of Jingnan. "The blind man said.

The newly attached place naturally needs to be controlled by a general to suppress the situation and control the situation.

Tian Wujing is a man who can even control his own family. It is indeed appropriate for him to rule the new land as the master of destruction.

Now even the people of Yinlang County are silent about Tian Wujing. Once Tian Wujing goes to Jin, what will happen to him? It can really make the child stop crying.

Wen Sutong shook his head and said: "In Daxia, there was a city guard position, just like my Jiedushi of Daqian, but the Jiedushi was in charge of a county. In terms of people's livelihood and military affairs, the city code is only responsible for one city and its surrounding areas.

The reason why the position of city guard was abolished and divided later was because it was easy to cause the tail to be too big to threaten the center. Emperor Yan set up this position again, presumably to use this method to bring the new land under control.

Since you are given a certain degree of autonomy, you will naturally have to pay part of the cost of defending the city. It is impossible for you to make up for the military rations, equipment, men and horses. You have to find a way to get it yourself. This is an established rule. , you Yan people are very similar to the barbarians in some places. In fact, you have long been accustomed to this rule.

Jingnan Marquis controls Xindi, but he is actually very stretched in terms of military strength. It is absolutely impossible to give Master Zheng many more troops privately. "

Zheng Fan nodded. He had actually thought of this matter and said with emotion:

"So we still have to adhere to the principle of self-reliance and independence. "

"Incisive. "Wen Sutong praised.

Zheng Fan rolled his eyes at Mr. Wen and continued: "According to the old man's wishes, how should I replenish my troops? "

With this old think tank by my side, I don’t need to use it in vain, and after a while, I will have to go to Yanjing to report as a mascot. It really doesn’t need to expire now.

Wen Sutong pointed around and said:

"Actually, Mr. Zheng has been making preparations for a long time."

"What preparations?"

"Preparation for rebellion."

"Although you are telling the truth, can you be more reserved and not say it so openly?"

" Yes, I made a mistake."

"Go on."

"Master Zheng's men are divided into two main parts. One part is the barbarian soldiers, and the barbarian soldiers are fighting against Dayan. It’s difficult to have a sense of belonging, because the appearance of the barbarians is very different from that of the Easterners, and it is difficult to fully integrate.

The other part is the clan executioners, these people have a deep concern for the imperial court. "With hatred."

This means that you have been preparing for future rebellion from the beginning. Look at the composition of these soldiers under your command.

"I think this habit can continue. After all, being independent is what you, Mr. Zheng, said before.

If anything happens in the future, you must at least ensure that your subordinates are not Mark has already been able to pull it out. Even if you really want to disobey your superiors, these people are willing to follow you without any worries. Otherwise, if a decree or a superior person comes out and shows up, your soldiers and horses will directly switch sides and be unable to control them. Then It’s going to be a joke.”

“Tell me how to do it,” Zheng Fan reminded.

"Yes, when going to Jin, the first step is to recruit troops and horses. You don't have to worry about money." After saying that, Wen Sutong glanced at Siniang sitting next to Zheng Fan and said: " When your wife was in Chuzhou City, all the property was calculated by her hand."

Hearing this, Zheng Fan immediately looked at Siniang.

Six Niang smiled and nodded.

After all, you are a business owner in the past. If you can’t make false accounts, what kind of business are you doing?

"My lord, we have intercepted a lot of goods. We can transport them when the situation is a little calmer."

That means it should still be hidden in Chuzhou City. In or near Chuzhou City.

"Where is it hidden?" Zheng Fan asked.

I don’t know these things.

Back in Chuzhou City, Li Fusheng left all the tasks of cleaning up and exterminating families to Zheng Fan. Many wealthy families had their homes confiscated, but don’t underestimate the wealth of these wealthy families.

A country’s treasury actually has a lot of money, because a lot of the money in the treasury is budgeted several years in advance. After it comes in and goes out, it just passes through one hand and always has to be spent.

On the contrary, among the people, there are often rich people who can rival the country. The mobilization of hundreds of thousands of troops by Dayan this time, the support of the current situation, and the expenditure and expenditure were all obtained by Emperor Yan's robbery of the clan. .

But at that time, I left that matter to Siniang and the blind man.I never thought that Siniang could hide her belongings in full view of the public.

"If you return to the Lord, hide it in King Fu's tomb."

"Pfft..."

Zheng Fan couldn't help laughing. King Fu is really full of treasures;

It has been squeezed out of all uses, even people's graves.

"My lord, you ordered us to help bury Prince Fu in Prince Fu's Mansion. My subordinates thought that you meant to hide the hidden wealth there."

"Ah. ...Oh, well, you just understand."

Zheng Fan waved his hand.

"San'er has already installed a secret cave for King Fu's tomb in advance. In the future, we can find someone to pretend to be a caravan and transport it out."

"Okay, It's a good job, I'm very satisfied."

In the entire Chuzhou City, the proceeds from the extermination of families, plus various filial piety, were distributed as rewards to the local people and Zhenbei soldiers, but the remaining part was intercepted. , is still a terrible wealth.

Zheng Fan nodded, feeling confident that at any time, if he had no money, he would always feel empty and panicked.

"This is good. It saves trouble for Xiaoliuzi. I heard that the court is preparing to canonize the prince. Xiaoliuzi's life is probably not easy."

Immediately afterwards, Zheng Fan looked at Wen Sutong again. This old fox was indeed a man of action. Otherwise, how could other civil servants have noticed that Siniang had falsified the accounts?

Wen Sutong continued:

"Master Zheng can recruit three soldiers."

As he said that,

Wen Sutong picked up the tea cup and Take a sip.

He was waiting for Zheng Fan to say:

I would like to hear the details!

Or,

All ears!

But Zheng Fan said directly:

"If you fart, hurry up."

"Pfft..."

Wen Sutong Squirting the tea out of her mouth, Yue Xin quickly took out her handkerchief to help her grandfather wipe it.

The blind man just smiled and said nothing.

Wen Sutong glanced at Zheng Fan sadly, and continued:

"There are three. One is that the newly attached land will inevitably be filled with immigrants from Yan people."

This is a method that has not changed since ancient times. It is difficult to digest a new land simply by military occupation, and it is also difficult for the new land to generate centripetal force towards the center. It must be immigrated first.

"These immigrants must be mainly prisoners from powerful families. These families already hate the imperial court, and there are many talented, learned and capable people who can be helped."

"Continue."

"The second is the savages in the Tianduan Mountains and the north. The barbarians under Lord Zheng's command can be mobilized, and the savages can be collected even if they are not able to do so."

"Well, what about the third one?"

"That's the Jin Army."

"The Jin Army?"

"Jin people are actually good at fighting.Yes, there are many reasons for this defeat, but it is not that the Jin people are not good at fighting, and there are many cavalry among the Jin people, and they can be directly recruited to form cavalry.

However, if you want to attract Jin people for your own use, you must have a good relationship with a person. ”

“Who? ”

“Emperor Yu Ciming of Jin opened the Nanmen Pass to lead the Yan army into Jin. Ordinary emperors cannot do such a thing, but being able to let it go means they dare to lift it. .

I heard that the Jin Emperor is already in Yanjing to pay homage to the Yan Emperor. When he returns to the country to seal the country, Mr. Zheng can take care of it and you can escort the Jin Emperor to the country.

Master Zheng is good at building relationships with people. I firmly believe in this, but you have to be careful in this matter. Cooperating with Emperor Jin is tantamount to seeking skin from a tiger. "

"He is a tiger, and we are still lions. "

Speaking, Zheng Fan turned to look at the blind man and said:

"When I get back, I will write to Xiaoliuzi and ask him to arrange this matter, and then ask him to help run it. Choose a better place for us. "

"My lord, didn't you just say that Xiao Liuzi is in a very difficult situation now? "

"He has walked all ninety-nine steps, and he is no longer trembling. ”

The blind man nodded to indicate that he understood, but he still felt that the Lord’s behavior was indeed quite a scumbag.

But when he looked back at Yuexin, the blind man suddenly felt that he It seems that I am not qualified to criticize the Lord.

"I am tired, go and rest. "

Wen Sutong left with Yuexin's support.

Zheng Fan said:

"You cheap father-in-law has something. ”

“Yes. "

"It's a pity that it has to be sent to Yanjing as a decoration. Otherwise, staying with us can also help you share the pressure. ”

“Yeah. ”

At this time,

Fan Li walked over from a distance.

On Fan Li’s shoulder sat the little sword boy, who seemed to have become a second sword boy. People have a fixed way of appearing, just like when you see a giant panda, the giant panda will most likely be holding bamboo in its hand.

"My lord, she said she wanted to give her a new name, so I will come to see you." On. "

Zheng Fan smiled, pointed at Fan Li, and said:

"You can just take it yourself. "

"I took it, but she didn't want to and beat me. "

Little Jiantong folded his arms across his chest angrily.

"What's your name? "

Being led by Fan Li, Zheng Fan unconsciously spoke with an accent.

Fan Li smiled naively:

"I said We are all servants of the Lord, so you are also the Lord’s maid,

So I gave her a name: Sword Maid.

Sword Maid. ”