Fenghou

"Thank you! Just put it here."

Yu Lian put down the teacup, Chen Qing suddenly saw a bright red lip print on the teacup, his heart skipped a beat, and he looked up at her.

Yu Lian was dressed very delicately, wearing a wide thin skirt, less than a foot away from him, her plump and tender body was clearly visible, twisting her body slightly in front of him, Chen Qing suddenly thought of the scene last night, and the fire in his heart was burning brightly , winking at her.

Yu Lian immediately understood, got into his arms, sat on his lap, put her arms around his neck and said coquettishly: "You promised me, 16 years old."

"Are you 16 years old?"

"Why not? After the new year, I will be 16 years old. If you don't believe me, take a look!"

Yu Lian bit her lip, and gently opened her skirt. Chen Qing's eyes were straightened immediately, and the flames charged at his head. He could no longer restrain himself, took her legs and walked towards the inner room.

……

"Master, I'm your woman now!" Yu Lian asked softly in Chen Qing's ear.

Chen Qing nodded, and only now did he realize that Yu Lian is really a natural stunner. Although it was the first time, she knew everything, understood everything, and was able to let go, which gave him endless enjoyment.

"You come here today, does Madam know?"

"It was arranged by the madam, she said that the master cannot do without a woman."

Chen Qing knew his situation well. Ever since that night in Zhangye, he had realized that he really couldn't do without a woman. Maybe a man with a strong desire for power also had strong needs in that regard.

Originally, he was also worried about what he would do after his wife became pregnant.Now it seems that his wife has made arrangements for him.

"Then I can call you husband too?"

"Not yet, continue to call me son or master."

"Yes! Master." Yu Lian said a little aggrieved.

Chen Qing hugged her in his arms, and said softly to her: "I have already said that when you are 16 years old, I will take you as concubines. After the Chinese New Year next year, you can change your mind."

At this time, a servant girl reported in the yard: "Sign up to my lord, Zhang Sima is in a hurry to see you!"

"I see!"

Chen Qing sat up, and Yu Lian hurriedly waited for him to get dressed.

Chen Qing hugged her into his arms and whispered in her ear: "Come back at night!"

Yu Lian nodded shyly and happily, and then Chen Qing quickly walked to the front yard.

……

Arriving at the VIP hall in the atrium, Zhang Xiao was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, looking a little restless, and didn't take a sip of the tea next to him.

Chen Qing asked with a smile, "What happened that made Zhang Sima lose his composure?"

Zhang Xiao clasped his fists and said, "I just received a letter from the Flying Eagle from the Jingzhao Mansion. In the middle of the night last night, Wan Yanchang led [-] Jurchens and left overnight. They seemed to be heading east. collapsed."

This news is indeed very important. In the second half of last year, Jin Guo suffered a stroke and fell, which triggered a war of princes within Jin Guo. Jin Guo had no time to take care of Xihe Road, so he took advantage of this opportunity to defeat Xixia and occupy Xihe Road.

Now if the emperor of the Kingdom of Jin really dies, then the opportunity has come again, and it is a good opportunity for him to completely seize the Shaanxi Road.

The 15 army can basically be supported by relying on Xihe Road, Shaanxi Road and Hanzhong Mansion.

Thinking of this, Chen Qing asked again: "Has the information from Taiyuan been sent?"

"Not yet, I guess it will take a few days. What I mean is that this opportunity will not be too long. If Dutong decides to attack Shaanxi Road, he should start mobilizing troops."

Chen Qing nodded. As the coach, he thought more about it, and he had to wait for news from Xixia.

Judging from the information he learned before, Xixia has been in a state of confrontation, and both sides are a little bit immobile, especially Xiao Heda's supplies and food are insufficient. Chen Qing suspects that Xiao Heda will reach an armistice agreement with the Xixia court. Will the imperial army turn against Liangzhou or Lanzhou to contain their own attack on Shaanxi Road?

If this is the case, then it is necessary to provide food and material support to Xiao Heda. With food and materials, Xiao Heda will continue to fight, leaving Xixia no time to take care of Xihe Road and Hexi Corridor.

Chen Qing calculated the time in his mind, the spies who went to Xixia should also come back.

Chapter 551 Calling for Help

This morning, a few cavalrymen rushed from the northwest official road, and soon came to the west gate of Chengji County. The cavalry shouted: "Urgent military report! Emergency military report! Make way ahead!"

The farmers who were about to enter the city to sell vegetables stepped aside one after another, and several cavalry rushed into the city like a gust of wind...

Chen Qingzheng was discussing the anti-counterfeiting of silver coins with several high-ranking officials. They found that there were also coins made of white copper in the market, which were almost identical in appearance to silver coins.

Zhang Xiao said with a smile: "There are several kinds of mother coins. The white copper coins are all small in size. You can use large-size copper coins for silver coins, which can be distinguished from the size."

Chen Qing shook his head, "It's useless for us to be able to distinguish. The key is the market. We invest money out. Once it becomes popular, there will definitely be counterfeit people. Xihe Road is easy to manage. What if the counterfeit money is in the Central Plains?"

Jiang Yan stroked his beard and smiled slightly: "You don't have to worry about it. At present, the silver coins we mint are mainly used to give soldiers' salaries. I don't think the street vendors and vegetable farmers will accept things they don't understand, so each county should set up a mansion shop. Silver coins can be exchanged for copper coins at any time, so that soldiers can rest assured."

Chen Qing took a few steps with his hands behind his back and said, "Actually, I want to change the Baoji Money Shop into an official money shop, for example, it is called Chengqinzhou State Money Shop, which will be directly operated by the government, and then various payments from the government, including Jiang Chang According to history, the money exchange and so on are all done by the state money shop.”

"That's a good idea!"

Sihu Zhang Miao's eyes lit up and said: "Beizhi has always felt that Hucao lacks an institution similar to a money shop. If the government has a money shop directly under it, it would be very convenient. Beizhi suggests that every county should set up a branch, which is both external and public. Internally, it is very convenient for merchants to withdraw and send money.”

Everyone agreed. Now that they control a large territory, it is very inconvenient whether it is to transfer materials or escort money. It is of course good to have a government-run money shop. It is best to have an official rush to deliver documents and materials. such as.

While they were discussing, a follower reported at the door, "A report to the envoy, an intelligence scout has arrived from Xixia!"

Chen Qing cheered up, and hurriedly said: "Let the scouts come in!"

Not long after, Dutou, a scout full of travel and dust, walked in and knelt down on one knee to salute, "See Dutong!"

"Get up and talk!"

"Thank you Dutong!"

The scout Dutou stood up and said: "Qi Dutong, Xiao Heda's son-in-law, Xi Muna, is also here. He will come tomorrow, and he should come to ask for help."

Chen Qing frowned, "Didn't Xiao Heda's son-in-law be killed?"

"Reporting to Dutong, the person who was killed was Yelu Jinfeng, the eldest son-in-law. He was bought by the Xixia Emperor Li Qianshun long ago, and he has always been Li Qianshun's eyeliner. Xiao Heda found out when he informed Li Qianshun, and Xiao Heda rebelled ahead of time."

"Is Xiao Heda's army still fighting fiercely with Xixia's army?" Chen Qing asked again.

"Reporting to Dutong, they are now in a confrontation. Originally Xiao Heda had the upper hand, but because of insufficient logistics and food, he was forced to give up Shizhou and retreat."

"Do you know how many troops Xiao Heda has now?"

"I know that Xiao Heda's direct army has 8000 people, the new army has 5000 people, and there are 5000 Khitan tribe cavalry, all of which add up to about [-] people."

Chen Qing was really shocked, "Can't Xixia even suppress more than 4 rebel troops?"

"Reporting to Dutong, the Xixia army only has more than [-] people. They have been fighting fiercely for nearly a year, and they are almost unable to fight."

Zhang Xiao asked at the side: "Do you understand the situation in Xingqing Mansion?"

"I probably know a little bit, we have a brother in Xingqing Mansion."

Zhang Xiao continued to ask: "I want to know the prices of goods in Xingqing Mansion, such as the price of rice and salt."

The scout clasped his fists and said, "Since Xixia issued ten ten cents at the beginning of the year, prices have skyrocketed, and people's dissatisfaction has boiled over. The price of wheat has risen to two hundred yuan per bucket, and the price of salt has also doubled, to eighty yuan per catty!"

There was a murmur of discussion in the lobby, and everyone was a little shocked. The price of wheat rose to two hundred yuan per bucket. You must know that in Chengji County, rice was thirty yuan per bucket, and wheat was twenty yuan per bucket. The county is ten times more expensive.

Zhang Xiao sighed and said, "I also heard from businessmen before that Xixia issued large amounts of money, and I guessed that the Xixia court's financial resources were exhausted. Generally speaking, no imperial court would issue large amounts of money unless it was absolutely necessary."

Chen Qing nodded, "Sima is right. Xixia has already consumed a lot of money and suffered heavy losses when they fought with us. Now that a civil war broke out, it is no wonder that their imperial court is not short of financial resources, but we must be vigilant. Although food and pig iron are banned I am afraid that some businessmen will be tempted by the huge profits and take the risk of transporting grain to Xixia."

Jiang Yanxian said aside: "If you want to transport grain, it must be transported on a large scale to be profitable. We have checkpoints at every ferry of the Yellow River, unless merchants purchase grain from the Hehuang Valley and transport it to Xixia by camel."

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and said: "Jiang Changshi reminded us well, we must increase the patrolling in the Hehuang Valley, and strictly prohibit any contraband from entering Xixia, and those who violate it will be punished severely!"

……

Everyone dispersed, and Chen Qing left Zhang Xiao behind. He said to Zhang Xiao: "Xiao Heda's son-in-law will come over tomorrow, and I think you will be the one to approach him. The key is how we can support Xiao Heda and meet their demands. , or according to our own ideas?"

Zhang Xiao thought for a while and said: "The key is what is the strategic decision of Dutong? Do you want Xiao Heda to destroy Xixia, or just weaken Xixia? If you want to destroy Xixia, then you should fully support Xiao Heda. If you just want to weaken Xixia, then give the minimum assistance so that the wolf Xiao Heda can continue to bite Xixia."

"Frankly speaking, I don't want Xiao Heda to destroy Xixia. Yelu Dashi's Xiliao is still there. If Xiao Heda destroys Xixia, Xiliao will probably make a comeback and occupy the land of Xixia. At that time, they will not only deal with Jin Guo, we are the first to bear the brunt, I am worried that Xiao Heda and Xi Liao will attack us from both sides."

Zhang Xiaowei smiled and said: "I think Dutong is a little too worried. Xiao Heda is not a good person. If he worked so hard to destroy Xixia, he must be the emperor, and he will never let Yelu Dashi come to pick the fruit." , Secondly, Xixia is not so easy to destroy, I believe Jin Guo is also secretly supporting Xixia, if you are not at ease, then we will take care of it and don't support too much."

Chen Qing nodded, "That's what I mean. I don't want to kill a tiger and raise a wolf. It's best to let them fight each other, and both sides will suffer. Let's pick this fruit."

"I'm afraid Jin Guo is also planning this idea!"

"That's right! The Kingdom of Jin must also have plans, I guess it will be another battle between dragons and tigers."

……

In the morning of the next day, Xiao Heda's special envoy, Xi Mu, and his party arrived in Chengji County. Zhang Xiao came out of the county to greet him in person. Xi Mu was about 30 years old at the time. capable.

Xi Muna was Xiao Heda's son-in-law, and was appointed as the governor of Xiazhou, in charge of government affairs. Xiao Heda told him more than once that if he destroyed Xixia and became emperor, he would make Xi Muna the prime minister.

Xi Muna was arranged to rest in the expensive hotel, but he was very anxious. Under his repeated request, Zhang Xiao held the first meeting with him that afternoon.

"I came to Chengji County this time to ask for your support. We have been relatively passive in the last few battles. We lost all three battles and lost nearly 1 people. The main reason is that Jin Guo supported Xixia with [-] barrels of fire oil. We failed to attack Shizhou City three times."

Zhang Xiaowei smiled and said, "Did the Dujian come to Chengji County this time just for fire oil?"

Xi Muna sighed and said, "It's mainly fire oil. If possible, it's better to support us with some gunpowder and food. In fact, I still need some salt and armor."

Maybe he also felt that his request was a bit too much, Xi Muna said a little embarrassedly: "Of course, we can use barter exchange."

Zhang Xiao suddenly became interested, and asked with a smile: "What do you plan to exchange with us?"

Chapter 552 Fighter

"What do they want to exchange?" Chen Qingrao asked with interest.

"They want to exchange horses and sheepskins with us, but they don't give much. They just want to exchange a lot of supplies with [-] horses and [-] sheepskins."

"Is it because they can only give so much, or are they greedy?" Chen Qing asked again.

"Humble job thinks they are the latter!"

"Is there any basis?"

Zhang Xiao nodded, "When I was sorting out the information some time ago, I saw an information from last autumn, saying that Xiao Heda won a big victory in Yincheng and captured more than [-] horses."

Chen Qing sneered, "We seized more than 7 war horses, but they only gave us [-] horses. It's a good thing they figured it out."

"What does Dutong mean?"

Chen Qing walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and said: "Our free aid is only [-] barrels of kerosene and [-] shi of military rations. If they want other things, they can exchange them with horses and sheepskins. I don't want to take advantage of them. Calculated at market value."

"The humble staff understand that they also want gunpowder. They said that the powder kegs of the Xixia Army exploded and shot poisonous nails, which hurt them very much. They also want to use gunpowder to retaliate!"

Chen Qing looked out the window for a while and said: "Tell them, we don't have any extra gunpowder, but I can teach them how to avoid gunpowder nails for free, and take them to the firearms testing ground in the afternoon."

"Understood, I will arrange it."

……

In the afternoon, Zhang Xiao brought Xi Muna and his team to the firearms testing ground in Chigu Town.

This is the firearms testing ground of the Song Army. Xi Muna is very interested and curious about everything, wishing to learn all the secrets inside.

Zhang Xiao said to Xi Mu with a smile: "We never open to outsiders, even middle and low-level generals are not qualified to come in. We all hope that you can defeat the Xixia Army, so we make an exception and let you visit!"

"I know that Chen Dutong's sincerity is touching, and we will remember it in our hearts!"

Zhang Xiao chuckled, and led them to a hut, where a soldier led the way, "Everyone, please go this way!"

Everyone passed through the hut, and the front suddenly opened up, and it was another testing ground, covering an area of ​​about two acres, and everyone stood on a high place.

Only then did Zhang Xiao introduce to Xi Muna: "My family has heard that many soldiers of your army were injured by the gunpowder and poisonous nails of the Xixia Army, and they all feel that it is necessary to help everyone. How to guard against poisonous nails, you can watch the drill below. !"

There were twenty soldiers standing below, each soldier was wearing ordinary leather armor and holding a large shield. At this moment, a ignited powder keg flew towards the top of their heads, Xi Muna and his entourage all exclaimed.

A leading soldier shouted, "There is an explosion, get down!"

Twenty soldiers got down on the ground at the same time, covered their heads with shields, and there was a violent explosion, and iron nails splashed everywhere. Of course, the drill would not really quench the poison.

But when the smoke cleared, twenty soldiers stood up one after another, but no one was injured.

Xi Muna and his followers understood and applauded warmly together.

Zhang Xiao added with a smile: "Song Army consists of 50 soldiers. Among the 50 soldiers, there must be two guards. They can yell at their companions to lie down at any time. The shields don't need to be good. Ordinary shields are enough."

The general Wang Lian'an who came with Xi Muna bowed deeply to Zhang Xiao again, "Today's visit is too important. We know how to deal with the gunpowder and poisonous nails of the Xixia people. I express my gratitude and respect to your army again!"

……

Perhaps this visit allowed Xi Muna to see the sincerity of the Song Army, and the subsequent negotiations were much easier. The Song Army was unable to support Xiao Heda's army with [-] barrels of kerosene and [-] shi of grain, and the extra supplies were sold at the expense of In the exchange of military horses, the two parties agreed on the price of the top-grade war horses and ordinary war horses.

In the end, Xi Muna agreed to exchange [-] barrels of kerosene, [-] stones of grain, [-] catties of salt, and [-] sets of ordinary soldiers with the Song army at the cost of [-] ordinary war horses and [-] superior war horses. .