Xian Sun of the Ning Mansion of the Red Chamber

Shanxi chief envoy Si Houya.

The chief envoy Wang Bifu, the inspector Fan Dongdong, and the prefect of Taiyuan Hao Shiren were all gathered together. The three of them looked solemn, as if they had encountered something that could not be solved.

"How come at this time, don't they know that the imperial court is fighting the Huns?" Wang Bifu looked at the official document in front of him and angrily reprimanded, while secretly looking at Fan Dong and Hao Shiren beside him.

Yesterday, the Yamen of the Shanxi capital in Ningwu sent a document, saying that the inspection department of Pianguan County had captured a group of merchants who were traveling outside the Great Wall in Laoyingbao eight days ago, and found a large number of prohibited items in the caravan's cargo , Salt and iron are still light, the key is to leave the country with gunpowder and sharpshooter privately, which is a serious crime of beheading.

In the past, this kind of thing is not a big deal, but the key is that two days ago, the Chief Secretary of Shanxi and the Commissioner of the Procuratorate just received a document from the imperial court, asking Shanxi and other local governments to check whether the north-south caravan was carrying prohibited goods. goods, especially those traveling to the grassland via the Nine Borders.

The specific prohibited items mentioned in the court documents are not clearly stated, but recently there have been turmoil in the court due to the setback of the Northern Expedition Army, and it was not caused by gunpowder at all.

Although it is thousands of miles away, above the officialdom, if there is even the slightest disturbance in the court, the local government will quickly hear about it, let alone the Shanxi local government.Donglaigong, the second assistant of the current cabinet, is originally from Shanxi, and they all say that one person can ascend to heaven with a chicken and a dog. Unique advantages.

It was precisely this matter that Wang Bifu was worried about.

I heard that His Majesty has issued an order to order Jin Dairen, the censor of Zuodu, to be an imperial envoy to patrol places to thoroughly investigate the case.

Just at this time, Pianguan County made a fuss about the smuggling of gunpowder guns by the inspection department. Isn't this a crime against the wind?

"My lord, now is not the time to pursue these matters. It is best to quickly find a way to calm this matter down."

Fan Dongdong, the inspector at the side, said: "Although the imperial court only ordered to investigate the merchants in the past nine borders, it is almost called Shanxi. It is not bad as I expected. I am afraid that the first stop of the imperial envoy's trip will be our Shanxi. Don't take it lightly."

Among the nine borders, apart from Liaodong, Shanxi is the only important town that is eligible to trade with the Hu people in the north.Liaodong is windy and cold, and the roads are far away, and it is not easy to travel. Naturally, there are fewer merchants. On the contrary, Shanxi merchants are well-known in Dagan. It is not the first stop to thoroughly investigate Shanxi.

Hearing this, Wang Bifu felt quite resentful, and said, "I have told them a long time ago that the current pass must be restrained, and what goods can and cannot be left. Are they all three-year-old children who need their own help?" Can the officials make it clear one by one? If Mr. Fu Ge knows these things, can he spare me waiting?"

"Salt and iron don't matter. Chaozhong also opened his eyes and closed his eyes, but gunpowder and firearms dare to carry such things. I think they are greedy for profit, and they don't even want their lives for money."

Fan Hedong knew in his heart that the other party was scolding him. There were only a few Shanxi merchants with names and surnames, and the Fan family was one of them, but he couldn't say anything.

Although Wang Bifu is a little pedantic, he is Fu Donglai's confidant. Without his approval, the survival of Shanxi merchants will be even more difficult.

Hao Shiren on the side also smiled coyly, and tried to persuade him: "My lord, the matter has already happened, and it won't help if you beat and scold again. We should tide over the difficulties together now. As the lord said, if this matter becomes serious, let alone the imperial envoy." How about it, only Mr. Fu Ge can't get through."

Wang Bifu was silent. He naturally understood how Fu Donglai's temperament and Duke Donglai's ambition would allow someone to use his banner to do private things. When he went to Shanxi, Fu Donglai's original intention was to let him stare at him. Looking at the officialdom in Shanxi, to put it bluntly, I was looking after the house for the second assistant of the court.

But now that family thieves are everywhere, he not only can't stand it, but also joins in with these people. Thinking back to Wang Bifu who was full of ambition back then, he is no longer around.

"The most important thing right now is to determine Zhou Xing's attitude. The inspection department belongs to the local yamen dispatcher, and all of him command envoys to pass through the chief secretary to issue orders to the remote inspection department. This matter is worth pondering." Wang Bi Su said.

Fan Hedong nodded. Shanxi's capital office is no less provincial than other provinces. The government office is located in Ningwuguan, and Ningwuguan is one of the three gates of Piantou. Deeply influenced by the military, it used to be in the hands of Xungui, but now it is replaced by Yang You, but the relationship with the chief secretary and the inspectorate is average.

"Now that Yang Youyuan is outside the Great Wall, who gave the order to Zhou Xing, or did he mean it?" Fan Dongdong frowned and thought.

"In any case, this case should be handled by the local yamen. The yamen of the capital is only in charge of military affairs and has no right to intervene."

Wang Bifu pondered for a moment and said: "In this way, you and I will jointly sign a letter of divorce to Zhou Xing, and we must get him back from the Dusi Yamen no matter what."

Fan Hedong nodded, and said again: "Just in case, it's better to send someone to remind you in person, lest the other party pretend to be confused."

The two looked at Hao Shiren at the same time, and Wang Bifu said, "Shiren, you are the prefect of Taiyuan, so go and bring him back yourself."

Hao Shiren didn't shirk it. Although the surname Hao is not one of the seven surnames of Jin merchants, it is also a common surname in the local area. He has in-laws with each family. He himself is the son-in-law of the Chang family. This matter cannot be avoided.

"But in case the imperial envoy arrives and asks, he will always give an explanation. The two adults think"

Wang Bifu looked at Fan Hedong and said, "Cut the mess quickly, and tell the companies involved that there must be someone to take the blame, and let them handle it themselves. Also, it has been more stable recently, and business is always stable. If you can do it, you can’t earn enough money. When the war in the Northland comes to an end, I don’t care what they want to do, but”

"But if something goes wrong during the imperial envoy's inspection, don't blame the official for not being sympathetic."

After traveling day and night for more than ten consecutive days, Jia Ying arrived in Hami at the end of August, while the army behind him was slower.

Hami West Army camp, outside the gate.

"The new governor of the three sides, Lord Jingning is here, hurry up and pass it on."

Soon, he saw a middle-aged man with a firm face, surrounded by all the generals, riding a horse from the large tent of the Chinese army to the gate.

"Jia Ying, the new trilateral governor, pays homage to Governor Wang."

The titles of governors of Daqian are all the second grade. In terms of rank, Jia Ying and Wang Ziteng are at the same level, but the third is always no higher than the ninth, not to mention that Wang Ziteng has added the third rank.

Wang Ziteng had a warm expression on his face, he quickened his steps a few steps, stepped forward to support Jia Ying and said: "There is no need to see each other between you and me, I will relax when you come, let's discuss in the tent."

In the big tent, after the imperial decree was read out and the generals above the travel notes of each battalion were reviewed, everyone dispersed, leaving only Jia Ying and Wang Ziteng to talk.

"Ask your uncle how he is." Jia Ying cupped his hands and saluted.

Wang Ziteng also nodded with a smile, asked Jia Ying to sit down, and said, "You have been in Beijing for four years."

Jia Ying nodded and said, "In two months, it will be four years."

Wang Ziteng sighed and said: "It's a pity, you and I made a mistake, it's always hard to see each other, today we finally meet each other."

"My nephew is young, and I hope my uncle will give you some advice." Jia Ying said respectfully.

With Wang Ziteng's current status, it is enough for Jia Ying to call himself a "nephew". This is the case for aristocratic families.

Wang Ziteng waved his hand and said: "Young Feng is as clear as Lao Fengsheng, even if you come to this day, I dare not give you any advice, but the power of life and death is in your hands, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers are tied to you alone , don’t act carelessly.”

"Nephew understands."

There was a moment of silence in the big tent.

Before coming here, Jia Ying also thought about what kind of scene it would be when the two met, but after seeing it, she felt a bit unfamiliar after all.

Three years ago, with the cooperation of Ye Baichuan and himself, Wang Ziteng seized the power of the Western Army, forcing Lan Tianyu to bow his head and return to Beijing. Three years later, under the support of the emperor and the cabinet, he never Wang Ziteng has seized the military power of half of the soldiers and horses on the nine sides.

The way of heaven is like reincarnation, and things in the world are generally like this. There are few trees that are evergreen for thousands of years, but I don’t know what kind of ending I will end up in the future.

"I have ordered the generals of the battalions to clean up the dust for you, and this can be regarded as a feast of my practice." Wang Ziteng broke the silence.

"So urgent?" Jia Ying frowned and asked, even he himself was a little confused about the truth of what he said.

If the prince can't leave, how can he take over the power, but the two families have been dependent on each other for a hundred years.

Wang Ziteng nodded and said: "Zhao Guangbei is in Hami now, I will go back to Beijing with him."

Jia Ying understood that this was the court's intention to gain more initiative for herself, and Zhao Guangbei's task was to urge Wang Ziteng to complete the handover with him as soon as possible.

"A while ago, the army was ambushed by the King of the Huns, and many people were lost."

Here, Jia Ying looked as usual, but his heart lifted up. He was waiting for Wang Ziteng to tell him that the Hunan Army Camp was set up by him alone. It's inevitable that something like this happened before Ren Ren would make people suspicious.

At the same time, he was re-examining his attitude towards Wang Ziteng.

Jia Ying is not a god, so he can't guess what Wang Ziteng will think after being dismissed as governor of the Nine Changes. People's hearts can't stand the test.Besides, what is the relationship between him and Mu Hong?Is it just cooperation, or is it simply a way of life?
"Mu Enci is good. The Hunan Army battalion he led is well-known in the entire Western Army for its ability to fight well. I was also in a hurry and wanted to find the Huns' royal tent as soon as possible, so I underestimated the enemy."

"Victory or defeat is a common matter for military strategists. How dare you say that there is no strategy in battle on the battlefield. There is always a price. I can't blame my uncle for this."

Jia Ying also understood that Wang Ziteng's ability to admit that he "underestimated the enemy carelessly" may have been very valuable in terms of his status, and he couldn't be made to bow his head to a junior to admit his mistake as a governor of the nine borders.

As for sending the Hunan army battalion to fight, whether it was intentional or just an accident, it seems that there will be no answer from the opponent's mouth.

But Jia Ying was not satisfied with this explanation.

With so many generals under the command of the Western Army, why did it happen to be Mu Enci's Hunan Army camp?This is not something that can be explained by "carelessly underestimating the enemy".

"I'm just curious, where did the Huns get so much gunpowder?"

Wang Ziteng also frowned at this time, and said: "It's not only gunpowder, but the news brought back by the forward guerrilla sentry cavalry that I sent, there is also an independent firearms battalion in the army of the Huns Royal Court. The rumors in the Dagan army are generally the same. I have informed the imperial court about this matter and ordered the towns on the nine borders to strictly investigate the past merchants."

Since Wang Ziteng said so, it means that the gunpowder and firearms did not come from the Nine Frontier Army, and the other party seems to have pointed out that it is a merchant traveling between the north and the south.

"This is where it gets interesting"

Jia Ying thoughtfully looked at Wang Ziteng, but after all, the other party's many years of officialdom made him unable to see anything.

But this does not prevent Jia Ying from doubting that there is another purpose behind this incident. The army that can really participate in the Northern Expedition is not as exaggerated as the 20 troops known to the world, and the total force will not exceed [-] when it sets out from Jiayuguan , Yumen, don't lose Bali, Yilibali, and then return to Hami, how much will be consumed in the middle.

Since the Huns have such an army of firearms, why did they wait until now to take them out?Just because of the cards?
The territory is gone, what's the use of keeping these fire sticks, can it change the ending?
The reason why Wang Ziteng's army was able to toss and turn all the way through the Western Regions and was unstoppable was mainly because they fought against the wind, and because of the defeat of the Right King's tribe, wherever the heavenly soldiers passed by, the barbarian tribes and tribes surrendered.

If the Huns relied on these things to give the Western Army a head-on blow from the very beginning, I am afraid that the tribes in the Western Regions would have to make other plans, and the progress of the army would not be so smooth.

If my suspicion is true, then who is it aimed at?You can't just vent your dissatisfaction in your heart.

emperor?

Jia Ying shook her head.

The purpose of Guardian is to eliminate the troubles of the Northland in one fell swoop. Even if Wang Ziteng loses, he will make up for it. The time to complete the goal may be delayed, but the ending will not change.

It's pointless against the emperor.

cabinet?

Perhaps it was to pave the way for the upcoming entry into Beijing,

However, the defeat of the army did not benefit Wang Ziteng, but instead broke the myth of his invincibility.

Jia Ying faintly felt that she had caught something, but she couldn't link them together to form a complete information chain.

At this time, Wang Ziteng's personal guards outside the tent sent a message: "My lord, Mr. Jia has arrived."

"Please."

After three months, Jia Ying saw Jia Yucun again.

Compared with the appearance of wealth and honor when he was in Beijing, Jia Yucun was dark and thinner, but he looked very capable and energetic.

Jia Yucun turned to Jia Ying after bowing before Wang Ziteng, and said with a happy face, "My dear brother, it really is you."

"Brother Yucun, it's always been good to say goodbye to March."

"Thanks to my virtuous brother and his kindness to take care of me, everything is fine, except that the wind and sand in the northwest are a little bit stronger." Yucun said with a smile.

The three exchanged pleasantries for a while, and gradually got to the point.

But Yu Cun said first: "Enxiang is recalled to the capital this time, and I don't know what position the imperial court will promise. Is there any rumors about my virtuous brother coming from the capital?"

Jia Ying said: "I've never heard of this, why didn't Zhao Guangbei reveal anything?"

Wang Ziteng of Jia Yucun looked at each other for a moment, Wang Ziteng looked at Yucun with a slight smile and said:

"Yucun is in love. Thunder, rain and dew are all the grace of the king. As subjects, we only have to be loyal."

Jia Ying's thoughts sank slightly, it seemed that Wang Ziteng had a lot of estrangement from him, and he actually used this kind of scene to test him.

"With my uncle's achievements in managing the Northwest, the imperial court will not treat him badly no matter what."

"But I'm afraid that some people don't want to." Jia Yucun answered.

"Brother Yucun, how did you say that?" Jia Ying asked pretending to be confused.

Jia Yucun looked at Jia Ying and said, "It's not that my virtuous brother doesn't know, not to mention the change of generals, the Zhao Guangbei sent by the imperial court stayed in the northwest for nearly two months. gone?"

"I don't think that's what His Majesty meant."

"Princess Donglai is in charge of the government. Everyone knows that she is dissatisfied with the nobles. Over the years, she has been pressing harder and harder. If it weren't for the support of Enxiang, I am afraid that this kind of persecution will be even worse. After all, in terms of government affairs , our strength is still too weak. The two families of Jia and Wang come from one body, you must worry about it.”

"It's the so-called prosperity and prosperity, and loss and loss. This time Enxiang returns to Beijing, he has no military power in his hands. If he can't respond internally and externally, I'm afraid the situation will get worse."

"Brother Yucun, what do you mean?"

Seeing Jia Ying answering the question, Jia Yucun said again: "Your younger brother, Enxiang, is a family friend by in-laws, and now my younger brother has taken over the power of the 20 Western Army after Enxiang. What happened to Enxiang, I'm afraid that the virtuous younger brother can't hide himself. But then again, now that the virtuous younger brother is in charge of the army outside, and the Enxiang is in the court, so one inside and one outside, strong and soft, how can the future court become his master? The land of the Donglai family?"

"Brother, what do you think?"

As Jia Yucun's voice fell, Wang Ziteng on the side also looked over.

it was waiting here
A wry smile appeared in Jia Ying's heart, it turned out that Wang Ziteng was also worried sometimes.

I wrote to Wang Ziteng several times, talking about the general situation, but unfortunately the other party didn't seem to listen to it, and he still went his own way, and now there is something about the Hunan Army Camp, and there are some shadows of the cabinet behind him. Wang Ziteng is worried about himself People take the tea cold, lose the capital of standing in the middle, and let others handle it.

This is also the reason why he avoided seeing Zhao Guangbei and waited until he arrived.

What Jia Yucun said was actually not bad. With Wang Ziteng's achievements, after returning to Beijing, it is impossible for the court not to provide high-ranking officials and generous salaries to show that the monarch and his ministers can get along well. At least until the end of the Northern Expedition, Wang Ziteng's position is still unshakable.

It's just that after the Northern Expedition is over, will the old account be brought up again?
Recalling some of the things that Wang Ziteng did after he took over as Governor of Nine Borders, the emperor's suspicion did not arise without wind.

With Jiade's forbearing character, it might not end well, Jia Ying could see this clearly.

And the Jia family and the Wang family are natural allies, and they seem to be following the old path of Wang Ziteng. The two, who have similar experiences and are likely to have similar endings, naturally have a basis for joining forces.

Of course, if nothing unexpected happens, Jia Ying is also thinking the same way.

but now
Jia Ying secretly shook her head in her heart.

These people, each and every one of them always regard themselves as the younger generation, the young ones should respect the old, such as Fu Donglai, Ye Baichuan, even Wang Ziteng.

What the hell is this.

It is possible to form an alliance with Wang Ziteng, but not now.

"Brother Yucun is worrying too much, Jia Shiwang Xue, isn't it empty talk." Jia Ying replied with a smile.

Jia Yucun nodded with a smile on his face, but there was a deep meaning in his eyes when he saw Wang Ziteng beside him.

In the end, it is still a coincidence.