At the end of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 424 Recruitment
Snowflakes were falling outside the house, the wind was biting cold, and the charcoal fire in the house was blazing, warm as spring.Gao Bufan and Cui Hu sat opposite each other at the table, rice wine was warmed on the small red clay stove, the mutton soup in the pot was boiling, and the aroma was tangy, the two chatted while eating the hot pot, oh yes, the hot pot at this time It is not called hot pot, but antique soup, which is named after the sound of "gudong gudong" when the water is boiled.

Let’s talk about Gao Bufan returning to his home in Yin County for a short stay for two days. Today he specially came to visit Cui Hu. He did not expect that it would snow after entering the city. Just now the two of them came out of the house of the patriarch Cui Wang, and then Cui Hu insisted on Take him home to eat antique soup.

Cui Hu poured Gao Bufan a glass of warm rice wine, and said with a smile, "This kind of antique soup is most suitable for snow days."

Gao Bufan picked up the wine glass and had a drink with Cui Hu. The latter let out a long breath, and said with lingering fear: "The last thing was thanks to Changqing, otherwise our Qinghe Cui clan might suffer disaster. It's really day and night It's hard to guard against family thieves, a big family like ours is most afraid of black sheep."

Gao Bufan expressed deep sympathy. Indeed, pig teammates like Cui Shiyao are really cheating, not only cheating his father, but also cheating the whole family. He reminded in a low voice: "As far as I know, Fei Yuwei is still investigating the matter of the building. Brother, be careful, don't be careless."

Cui Hu said calmly: "It doesn't matter, let them investigate. The three-storey boat of our Cui family in Qinghe was burned down by thieves in full view. The parents and officials in this county saw it with their own eyes. There is no evidence."

Gao Bufan nodded. It has been several months since the incident, and there has been no movement so far. It can be seen that Fei Yuwei did not find out anything.

Cui Hu took a piece of mutton for Gao Bufan, and said in a low voice with deep feeling: "It's thanks to Ms. Dou's help, otherwise it would be really difficult."

Gao Bufan smiled and said: "Brother Cui, this is all a good relationship made by you yourself. One drink and one peck, it's destiny!"

Cui Hu nodded, who said no?After he learned of Dou Xianniang's true identity, he kept it a secret. He even took the risk of accepting Dou Xianniang into his team when he went north to congratulate Gao Bufan on the opening of his new racecourse earlier this year. It wasn't for the good relationship that was formed at the beginning, how could Miss Dou help this time.

"By the way, Gao Shida and Dou Jiande have captured Pingyuan County recently, and the momentum is getting bigger and bigger. Ms. Dou is probably also in Pingyuan County at this moment." Cui Hu whispered.

"When did it happen?" Gao Bufan asked unexpectedly.

"It was only seven or eight days ago." Cui Hu replied.

Gao Bufan couldn't help but suddenly realized that he had made an appointment with Dou Xianniang. As soon as he returned to Yu County, he would place a token at the spot agreed by Gao Jibo. Oh, the girl Xian Niang hasn't appeared yet, so she went to Pingyuan County. It seems that the business between Lao Dou and Gao Shida is getting bigger and bigger, and they are starting to grab the land.

Cui Hu sighed and said: "The situation in the Sui Dynasty is becoming more and more rotten now, and there are several forces around our Qinghe County. Wang Xuba and Li Shanfei are raging in Zhao County and Hejian County in the north, with tens of thousands of troops. In the south are Gao Shida, Dou Jiande, and Sun Anzu, who also have tens of thousands of soldiers; while in Qi County in the southeast, there are Wang Bo and Zuo Xiangcai; in the west, there is Wagang Zhai Rang; With [-] soldiers and claiming to be the Son of Heaven in Wu County, it seems that this posture is about to change."

Gao Bufan nodded and said: "Next year the emperor will go east to conquer Goguryeo, so the changes will only happen in the past few years. Brother Cui should make plans early, so as not to be too passive when he gets it."

Gao Bufan and Cui Hu are close friends, so they have no scruples in chatting and can speak freely.

Cui Hu flashed his eyes and said: "The iron mine in Anle County has been opened, and now the imperial court urgently needs all kinds of weapons and armor. A private blacksmith shop, we also received part of the blacksmith shop under Cui's name."

"Then congratulations to Brother Cui, this is a big deal." Gao Bufan said calmly.

Cui Hu stroked his beard and smiled and said: "It is indeed a big business, but the profit is not high. It's just a few hard-earned money, and you have to pay taxes. By the way, when is Changqing going to leave for Zhuojun?"

On the issue of weapons and armor, both of them had a tacit understanding, after all, it was forbidden.

"Five days later, I have to arrive before the twelfth lunar month." Gao Bufan replied
Cui Hu laughed and said, "That's still too late."

Gao Bufan wondered: "What is there in time?"

Cui Hu reminded: "Your Excellency forgot, this year's war horses have to be handed over to the imperial court again. The emperor will conquer Goguryeo three times next year, so the Taipu Temple has issued an official document. This year's war horses will still be rushed to Zhuojun by the horse farms. deliver."

Only then did Gao Bufan wake up, and it was time for the annual war horses to be handed over to the court. According to the quota set by Yu Wenhua, Yufeng Racecourse had to hand over [-] war horses this year. Thousands of horses were seized from the Ministry, and even if the quota of Flying Eagle Racecourse was added together, it would be more than enough to deliver.

Cui Hu naturally knew that Gao Bufan had no shortage of horses right now, so he didn't ask too many questions, and said: "I will drive the horses to the north in five days, and I happen to be traveling with Chang Qing, but I'm afraid it will slow down Chang Qing's journey."

"It doesn't matter, there is still plenty of time." Gao Bufan said freely.

Cui Hu said happily: "That's good. In addition, we have newly opened several dyeing workshops and porcelain cellars in Zhuo County, so we have to bring some tools along the way, and the speed of travel will be slower."

Gao Bufan's heart moved. It seems that the Cui family of Qinghe is also a little panicked now, and is speeding up the transfer of the industrial chain. However, it is no wonder that Qinghe County is surrounded by thieves. After being eaten to the point that there is not even a scum left, I don't know how many people are staring at the wealthy Qinghe Cui family.

Although Zhuojun is located in the north, it is rich in things and people, and the key is still very stable. Yang Guang's three consecutive years of expedition to the east, almost all the material resources and manpower of the country were concentrated in Zhuojun, which naturally brought prosperity to all walks of life in Zhuojun, so Now in the entire Sui Dynasty, the richest place may not be Zhuojun, but the place where it is easiest to make money must be Zhuojun.

Of course, another reason why Cui Hu felt relieved to move his property north to Zhuojun was Gao Bufan. Yingyang Mansion is the local armed forces of Zhuojun. In the future, Gao Bufan will protect him, which will save a lot of trouble and be much safer.

"By the way, Changqing's Yingyang Mansion must replenish its soldiers?" Cui Hu asked suddenly.

Gao Bufan nodded and said, "I only have two hundred people under my command now, and I have to add about 800 people to fill the quota."

Cui Hu shook his head and said: "800 people is not enough, Changqing can increase the number of soldiers to [-], or even [-]."

Gao Bufan was surprised and said: "I'm afraid it's against the rules, the quota for soldiers in a government is only [-]."

Cui Hu whispered: "Rules are dead, people are alive, ordinary people can't tell the difference between 1000 people and 2000 people, as long as the list handed over to the imperial court is 1000 people, the rest will be considered private." Bing, Zhang Qing can just pay for it personally, but now the soldiers are in a panic and the situation is unstable, everyone is doing this, and if something happens, they can protect themselves."

Gao Bufan was sweating secretly, it turned out that he still had such a coquettish operation, he had only heard of people who were paid by name, but now it was the other way around, and he was paid by himself without a name.

Cui Hu pondered and said: "However, it is not easy to recruit soldiers now. Changqing might as well recruit some soldiers from the Gao clan in the clan. After all, our own people are more loyal and reliable."

Gao Bufan nodded and said: "I also have this kind of plan. I have discussed with the patriarch a few days ago and recruited [-] young and strong soldiers from the clan."

"Will it be a little less?" Cui Hu asked.

Gao Bufan's heart was moved, and he asked tentatively: "I wonder if there are any young men from the Cui family who are willing to serve as soldiers in Zhuo County?"

Cui Hu was secretly happy, and blurted out: "There must be some, but... Changqing, do you mind?"

Gao Bufan smiled and said: "I'm worried about the source of soldiers now, if young people from the Cui family are willing to apply for the recruitment, I'd love it!"

Cui Hu couldn't help but beam with joy. He originally wanted to propose it, but he was worried that Gao Bufan would not be happy, so he didn't open his mouth. Now that Gao Bufan took the initiative to mention it, he naturally couldn't ask for it.

It is said that although the Qinghe Cui family has a big family and a great business, the transfer of the focus of the industry is not a trivial matter. The key figures in the clan are very cautious about this. Now that Gao Bufan agrees that the Qinghe Cui family's children join the Yingyang Mansion, this is undoubtedly a disservice to the Qinghe Cui family. Cui Hu was naturally overjoyed, and with this reassurance, he believed that those elders in the clan who opposed the transfer of property would change their minds.

"The matter is serious, I have to discuss it with the clan before I reply to you, Changqing. By the way, how many children of the Cui family does Changqing plan to recruit?" Cui Hu asked.

Gao Bufan groaned deeply for a moment before saying: "200 people, we have to recruit some from Zhuojun, so as not to lose the population."

Cui Hu didn't take it seriously when he heard that, 200 people is not bad, and the children of the Gao clan also have 200 people, it can be seen that Changqing has given himself enough face, and he should not be too greedy.

Cui Hu took the initiative to pour another glass of wine for Gao Bufan, and said with a smile: "Drinking alone is a bit monotonous, come here, go and invite the girl, um, please bring the guqin with you." After speaking, he turned to Gao Bufan again He said with a smile: "The little girl's piano skills are not bad, let her help out."

Gao Bufan sweated secretly: "Brother Cui, it's freezing cold, Miss Labor Shirou is not doing well, let's forget it, we can just eat and drink by ourselves."

Cui Hu stroked his beard and smiled and said: "It's okay, anyway, the little girl is idle in the back house, it's better to let her exercise her muscles and bones, and Changqing is not an outsider, why bother to see outsiders."

Hearing this, Gao Bufan didn't make a sound anymore. He hasn't seen him for nearly half a year. In fact, he also wants to meet this cute and cute little loli.

It is said that Cui Shirou lived in Zhuojun for a period of time, and Cui Hu was busy with the iron mine in Anle County, Gao Bufan occasionally came to take care of him.

(End of this chapter)