Huan Rong

Goshawk brought back Qin Jing's handwriting, which was also written on thin silk and placed in a bamboo tube.The letter stated that the salt ship was coming in March, and there were 36 carpenters and stonemasons, [-] shipwrights, and two blacksmiths on board.

After watching it from beginning to end, Huan Rong couldn't help rubbing his eyes.

blacksmith?

It's not in the "terms of contract" at all.

Turning to look at the goshawk combing its feathers on the wooden frame, Huan Rong sighed: "It would be great if you could talk."

The little boy walked into the inner room with a paint tray, and happened to hear half of the conversation. He looked around curiously, and finally his eyes fell on the wooden frame. Is Mr. Lang talking to this eagle?

"Lang Jun, there are sea fish today."

The little boy put down the lacquer plate and brought out a plate of steamed sea fish.The fish is covered with shredded green onion and ginger, and there are not many condiments, but the taste is extraordinarily delicious.

"Wang Shiqian sent two baskets of new vegetables, and a rare small box of dried mountain mushrooms. The cook caught two fat chickens, and did as Langjun said."

As the little boy said, he lifted the lid of the bowl, a bowl of green vegetables, a bowl of chicken stewed with mushrooms, the aroma was tangy.

Huan Rong picked up the bamboo chopsticks, estimated the capacity of his stomach, and was sure that this meal could eat a bucket of rice.

Outside the house, Ah Mi led several servants to clean up the corridor.

After the beginning of spring, there is more rain in Yandu.The inside of the county government office is fine, but outside the county government office, several wooden houses were knocked down and rebuilt, and the accumulated soil was soaked by the rain. When people walked by, they would step on the wet mud if they were not careful, and sometimes the hem of their clothes would get dirty.

There are more and more refugees re-registering their household registrations. The gates of the county government offices are open all day long. Officials and casual officials are busy copying household registrations and distributing fields.

A few days ago, some people who were dissatisfied with Huan Rong pretended to be refugees and sneaked into the county government.The man was taken down on the spot, the guards and health servants broke out in a cold sweat, and they were even more afraid than Huan Rong.

Since then, no matter inside or outside the county government office, as long as there are faces around Huan Rong, the guards will stay with him almost every step of the way to ensure that similar incidents will not happen again.

The identity of the assassin has been ascertained, and he is a descendant of the Chen family.Because of many unrighteous actions in the past, even bullying men and women, almost killing people, the house and land were confiscated, and people were sent to work in the saltworks.

I don't know whether it was the negligence of the guards or some other reason, but the man escaped from the saltworks and sneaked into the county government office under the pretense of being a refugee, intending to assassinate Huan Rong.

"Dog officer! If I don't die today, I will take your head sooner or later!"

Hearing the harsh swearing, to Huan Rong's surprise, he didn't feel angry.The guards and health servants were furious, they kicked down, and the cursing stopped abruptly.

"You have self-knowledge." Huan Rong walked up to the assassin, looked down at the bruise-faced man, and shook his head, "If you die without repentance, there is really no cure."

People are not afraid of making mistakes, what they are afraid of is making mistakes again and again, and being stubborn.

This person is backed by the mighty Chen family, and is used to dominating everyone, and is used to domineering.Losing everything overnight, it is no wonder that he will fall into madness.

"There is no need to send it to the saltworks." Huan Rong made a decision, "Send it to the forest for logging."

Renovating houses and building walls require a lot of wood, and if you want good wood, you have to go into the forest.

Huan Rong specially sent someone to inquire, and there are at least three wolf packs near Yandu, with different numbers of members, but the same ferocious temperament.When a young man enters the forest to cut wood, he must be accompanied by a guard. If the person is honest, if he is not honest and tries to escape, more than [-]% of them will fall into the belly of the wolf.

Huan Rong thinks that he can deal with it, but Shi Shao is against it.

"Your Majesty is too merciful. How can such a murderer indulge in recklessness, he should be severely punished."

Before the order was issued, Shi Shao urged Huan Rong to put this person in prison, and he would be imprisoned for ten or twenty years if he did not kill his head.In short, he cannot be kept outside prison.

"It is a serious crime for common people to offend the gentry. The lord of the government holds the title and is in charge of the government of a county. If this person dares to assassinate, it is a violation of the law! The magistrate has good thoughts in his heart, but he will do his best to eliminate the evil. Please think again, the lord!"

After some persuasion by Shi Shao, Huan Rong finally realized that he had acted inappropriately, and immediately threw the assassin into prison, and accompanied the Yandu tyrant who was imprisoned there.Afterwards, the salt field was inspected, and six guards and supervisors who had problems were found out, and all of them were punished as salt slaves.

With lessons learned from the past, the guards of the county government have become more and more strict.

The six Xiangli brothers proposed to rebuild the wooden house, and the guards and health servants all agreed with it.

After the project started, the open space on both sides of the county government office was filled with rocks and wood.

After several rains, the roads in the west city became more and more muddy.Due to the large number of people coming and going, the stone roads in the county government needed to be cleaned frequently, and the workload of the servants increased. Naturally, they didn't have the heart to continue "surrounding" Huan Rong, but Huanfu Lord was relieved.

Occasionally being surrounded by people can be regarded as a pleasure.He has to come here several times a day, Huan Rong really can't stand it.There were too many times, he wished he could go out and cover his face, and held up a sign by the way: No onlookers.

After eating, Huan Rong opened the newly recorded refugee household registration, while looking up the name of the place of birth, the family name, and counting the number of households.

"The number of households is 210, 320 males, 160 females, 32 elderly people, and 56 children."

Putting down the pen, Huan Rong pinched the base of his nose.

Including the powerful private slaves who were exiled and the salt slaves released from the salt field, the number of households in Yandu exceeded [-].In terms of Dingkou, it can be included in the big counties among overseas Chinese counties.

Years of wars have caused the population of the Central Plains to drop sharply.Coupled with the fact that the tyrants have a large number of private slaves, and there are many shaded households, the population calculated by the imperial court will always decrease by half to [-]%, and counties with more than [-] households are rare.

"The fields are enough, and the saltworks also need manpower, but how should we manage them?"

The number of officials in the county government has increased to 39, and the number of scattered officials is 16, which is still not enough.According to the custom of a large county with [-] households, at least [-] officials are needed to arrange various affairs properly and ensure the smooth progress of the work.

"Talent!"

Huan Rong pinched the back of his neck and sighed again.

Where should he go to find talent?

The cornucopia in Beicheng has been dug five or six times, and now it has almost bottomed out.In addition to adding three assistants to Shi Shao, there were also five more casual officials in the county government.

Now, the nearby counties and counties are aware of Yandu's actions, know what Huan Rong has done, and begin to strictly control the entry and exit of refugees. It will be much more difficult for Huan Rong to repeat the old tricks.

"I wished I could drive everyone to Yandu before, but now I just don't let them go..."

Speaking of this matter, Huan Rong is full of lawsuits.

What about mutual benefit and mutual help?In the face of interests, they all become window paper that can be broken at a glance!

Knowing that Huan Rong needed manpower, the county magistrates of several places communicated with each other and asked Huan Rong directly for a price. The demand was not much, a boat of sea salt for every [-] people.

Huan Rong turned blue with anger when he received the letter.

"Why don't these people go grab it!"

Every time Huan Rong thought of this incident, he was so angry that he wanted to fight.The other party clearly took advantage of the fire to rob, but he couldn't do anything about it.It's not impossible to come to the door and grab it, but it's really not good to spread the reputation.

There was really no other way, Huan Rong even wanted to make another contract with Qin Jing, besides the artisans, could he give himself a few hundred more people?

While thinking about it, a healthy servant came to report, and Liu Laozhi arrived with a letter from Xici.

"Liu Canjun?" Huan Rong was a little surprised.

He heard the news a month ago that the scumbag father made a statement to the imperial court, asking to join the various prefectures in the Northern Expedition.No matter from which angle you look at it, the imperial court has no reason to refuse.According to the experience of the previous two Northern Expeditions, the army must go north by water.If you want to travel in the wet season, you must start preparing for food and fodder as soon as possible.

Liu Laozhi came at this time, and brought a letter written by Xi Jishi. Could it be that he came to adjust the grain?

It's no wonder that Huan Rong made such a guess, Xi Chao's cheating behavior was always hidden from Jingkou, and it wasn't until Sima Yu sent a letter that Xi Yin got the news.As the directly related person, Xi Yinshang was kept in the dark, let alone Huan Rong who was devoted to infrastructure construction.

"Please invite Liu Canjun to the guest room, and then invite Shi Sheren."

"promise!"

Before it was time for a cup of tea, Liu Laozhi was invited into the guest room, Shi Shao went to accompany him, Huan Rong walked into the room with a smile, cupped his hands and said, "I don't see you for more than a month, how is Liu Canjun?"

"The prince is worried about it, but the servant dare not be a servant."

After the guests and hosts were seated, Huan Rong asked about the situation of the envoy Xi Chi and why Liu Canjun was on his trip.

"The servant is ordered by the envoy to ask the lord if there is anything to do."

"What's the matter?" Huan Rong looked at Liu Laozhi carefully, and found that something was wrong, which was quite different from what he thought.If it was the Northern Expedition to adjust grain, Liu Laozhi would not look sad.Although it was a bit deliberate, the anxiety on his expression couldn't be faked.

"The Lord has a letter, please read it."

Liu Laozhi took out Xi Yin's handwritten letter and handed it to Huan Rong.

Huan Rong unfolded the letter paper with doubts, and frowned after reading two lines. At the end of the reading, the sense of relaxation disappeared, his expression became serious, and there was no trace of a smile on his face.

"Is it true?"

"It's a matter of great importance, and everything is true." Liu Laozhi smiled wryly, "Shi Junwan didn't expect the eldest son to act like this. If it wasn't the prime minister who sent people to Jingkou, I'm afraid he would be kept in the dark when things came to an end."

"Emissary Xi Ting did write to my father?"

"Indeed." Liu Jianzhi nodded and said, "The letter is to ask Sima Huan to help the Jin Dynasty, and the Northern Expedition to recover the land. I didn't expect..."

The following words are all written in the letter, so there is no need to say much at all.The matter is related to Xi Chao. As Xi Yin's subordinate, Liu Laozhi said that it is not appropriate to say that it is light, and it is wrong to say that it is serious.

Huan Rong handed the letter to Shi Shao and shook his head involuntarily.

I always want to cheat my father in my dreams, and I have no clue if I want to break my head.Xi Canjun pushed Xi Trick into the pit with ease. Talking about this ability, it is really admirable and admirable.

After reading the contents of the letter, Shi Shao was also speechless.

He was even more shocked than Huan Rong.

Huan Rong had been in contact with Xi Chao at any rate, and knew part of the historical trend, but Shi Shao couldn't figure out how, as the son of Xi's family, he could do such a thing and harm his father to such an extent.

Even if each is their own master, this is not the work of the Son of Man!

"Your Majesty Xi wants to invite Grandma to come forward and enter Taicheng to persuade the Queen Mother?"

"Yes." Liu Jianzhi nodded his head heavily and explained, "The only person who can solve the situation is the Queen Mother."

The Xi family is in decline. If Xi Yin is plotted to lose his official position and military power again, the once prominent Xi family may become a second-rate gentry, and he will never be able to compete with Wang Xie Gaomen.

In order to keep his power and status, Xi Min had to put all his eggs in one basket and tried every means to please the imperial and Yi decrees.What is the situation of the emperor, all the ministers can see.Whether or not the Empress Dowager can be invited is the key to the final comeback.

Liu Laozhi explained the whole story and waited patiently for Huan Rong's answer.

He didn't show the alliance between the two sides, and he didn't need to talk about it face to face.Huan Rong was not confused, he didn't need to think carefully about what he would face once Jingkou and the Beifu army fell into the hands of Huan Wen.

Huan's father and son were at odds, Huan Rong was first expelled from Jiankang, and then intercepted and killed on the way to his post, which is enough to explain the problem.

If Xi Chao's plan succeeds and Xu and Yanzhou change hands, Huan Rong will not end well.It is polite to say that it is round and flat, and [-]% will be squeezed out of the last trace of use value, and it will die silently.There's no need for the scumbag father to do it himself, his concubine brothers will be happy to do it for him.

In the final analysis, this matter is not only related to the power in Xi Yin's hands, but also related to his own head, which cannot be ignored in the slightest.

"Please tell Liu Canjun to envoy Xi Ting that Rong will live up to his entrustment." For his own life, Huan Rong had to work hard.

"Thank you, Mr. Gao Yi!"

Liu Laozhi thanked him, took the letter promised by Huan Rong, and left Yandu on the same day and returned to Jingkou.

Standing on the deck, Liu Laozhi looked back at Yandu West City, which has become a "big construction site", especially the stone houses built on both sides of the county government office, with a slightly complicated expression.

As a leader of the army, he naturally understands the key to city defense.

Liu Laozhi could almost recognize at a glance that the location of the stone house was not easy.In addition to the stone walls being piled up around the city, it is conceivable that once the project is completed, the defense strength of Yandu City may not be inferior to that of Jingkou, and may even exceed a few points.

He was also amazed by the pulleys and carts used to build the walls.

It's absolutely unimaginable if you don't see it with your own eyes. Wood thicker than a person's waist and stones the size of a millstone can be easily hoisted with just a few wooden wheels and a few thick ropes.Those wooden carts propelled by manpower may seem crude, but they are quite practical.If it is replaced by a cart and pulled by oxen and horses, the carrying capacity is far better than that used in the army.

If it wasn't for the lack of time, Liu Laozhi would like to stay a few more days to carefully observe these tools that appeared in Yandu.It's a pity that he shoulders a heavy responsibility and must return to Jingkou as soon as possible. No matter how itchy his heart is, he can't help it, so he can only continue to stare at the bow.

After Liu Laozhi left, Huan Rong wrote a letter and handed it to his loyal servant, ordering him to return to Jiankang immediately.

"Remember, this letter can only be given to my mother, and must not fall into the hands of others."

"promise!"

The loyal servant hid the letter well, took only the necessary dry food with him, and set off from Yandu to Jiankang day and night.

Compared with manpower, the speed of sending letters by goshawk is faster.But Huan Rong didn't dare to take risks, what if Brother Raptor loses his temper halfway, or goes the wrong way?

Huan Rong walked to the porch, looked at the goshawk that left a fat rabbit and wiped its claws on his shoulder, and was speechless for a long time.

Perhaps, he should really raise a few pigeons.

One flies long-distance north-south, and the other flies short-distance express delivery. As long as the pigeon cages are kept far away and away from the places where Brother Raptor often haunts, it shouldn't be really a fresh meat... right?

That night, Huan Rong fell asleep with his mind full, tossed and turned for half the night, barely sleeping for an hour.

The cock crowed three times, and Huan Rong got up with two dark circles under his eyes. After eating three bowls of millet porridge and five steamed cakes, a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind, and most of the gloom disappeared immediately.

Xi Canjun reminded him that cheating is not about the time, nor the distance, but whether the means are straightforward enough.

"Invite Shi Sheren to the back hall."

Xi Chao can cheat his father, so can he!

Whether Xi Jishi can make a comeback depends on the development of the matter.He had to plan for the worst, in case Xu, Yanzhou and Beifu Army were to change hands, while they were still independent, they would have to be a scumbag!

Up to now, Huan Rong no longer cares about fame.

What's the point of having a reputation when your life is almost gone!

Shi Shao was invited to the back hall, seeing Huan Rong drinking tea soup, he secretly heaved a sigh of relief, he was really afraid of having dinner with the lord.

Before he could be happy for a moment, he heard Huan Rong say the so-called "pioneering plan", and Shi Shao spit out a mouthful of tea soup on the spot, unable to utter a word for a long time.

"What does Jingde think?"

"My lord, I'm afraid this matter..."

"Not feasible?"

"It's possible." Shi Shao frowned, "However, Yu Fujun's reputation is in the way."

"No problem." Huan Rong smiled, rolled his eyes, and said, "You have seen what Xi Ting envoy said in the letter. Don't be afraid to tell Jingde, the family has never liked Rong, just like the change of master in Jingkou, Rong fears that he will die without a place to bury him." .”

"Your Majesty!"

Huan Rong raised his right arm to stop Shi Shao's words.

"Jingde, I have no way out."

Having escaped a hunt, Huan Rong thought he would have a few years to develop.Unexpectedly, while taking a breath, the scumbag father bullied him again.

"Your Majesty has made up his mind?"

"Of course."

"So, Shao will help with all his strength."

"good!"

After discussing with Shi Shao, Huan Rong took out the letter sent by the aunt, and cut the words on the paper one by one, and cut the private seal carefully to ensure that nothing was damaged.

I really want to thank that assassination, otherwise there would not be this letter full of "father-son love".

He is not as talented as Xi Chao, who can imitate other people's handwriting, so that they are exactly the same.In order to keep it secret, other than Shi Shao, he couldn't tell others about the matter.

But he has a hole card that no one else has.

Rubbing the red mole on his forehead, Huan Rong let out a sneer.

The next day, the gates of the military barracks in Xicheng were opened wide, and nearly a hundred young and strong men filed out to receive the distributed leather spears. Led by Dian Kui and Qian Shi, holding "requisition orders", they went to several nearby counties to conscript refugees.

"The imperial court ordered Da Sima to unite with the prefects of the states for the Northern Expedition. Today, young and strong refugees are conscripted to Yandu for military supplies."

When a county magistrate objected, Dian Kui immediately opened his eyes wide and clenched his fists, threatening.

Qian Shi sneered, and presented Sima Huan's handwriting, and threw out the transfer order with the private seal of Sima Huan, with sharp pens and clear words.Who dares to say that it is not Huan Da Sima's handwriting, you can send it to Gushu for verification!

When did my aunt send the letter, is it important?If everything is seen in the eyes of others, and a mere county magistrate is allowed to keep track of whereabouts, is it Huan Da Sima?

Opposition was quickly suppressed, several county magistrates' plan to make a fortune was aborted, and the refugees detained forcibly were taken to Yandu in batches.

When the news came out, Xi Ji made a big laugh and said happily, "Huan Yuanzi, you deserve today!"

"Duke Ming, I accidentally understand."

Xi Yin sat in front of the couch and said with a smile: "Huan Yuanzi wants to take Jingkou, and now all the states have heard about it. Before the imperial court gave an order, he couldn't bear to intervene in it. What would you think?"

The room was silent for a while.

"If the incident spreads out, his reputation for power will definitely win. Those who were attached to him before will also consider it. If I go to the government, he will hold the troops of the two prefectures and control the eastern and western portals of Jiankang. Who in the world can do nothing to him?"

Even better, it was Huan Rong who did it!

The gentry Gaomen who tended to assist the Jin family must be vigilant, guessing that Huan Wen sent his son to Yandu because he must have planned for Jingkou.The Empress Dowager will also understand that there is no way to be ambiguous. If you want to save the Jin family, you must first keep Jingkou!

"As long as Princess Nankang enters Taicheng, Yizhi will be determined!"