The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 197 The Current Situation of the Changyi Army

"elder brother!"

Shi Lingyan screamed happily, like a baby bird returning to the nest, and fluttered into Shi Xiangwen's arms.

Shi Xiangwen's huge body leaned down, opened his arms, carefully hugged her, and grinned widely: "Sister, I miss you."

Shi Kuangwei walked slowly from behind, his face full of the loving smile of his old father.

Shi Xiangwen has never left his side since he was so old. This time he went to Puzhou with Zhu Xiudong for half a year. Now that he has returned safely, Shi Kuangwei is relieved from the bottom of his heart.

The children have grown up and will be able to live a stable life even if he is not here in the future.

Besides, Zhu Xiu was still there to take care of him, so he really had nothing to worry about.

The corners of Lao Shi's eyes were wet, he raised the back of his hand to wipe it, and smiled to himself. As people get older, they are easily sad.

Zhu Xiu was about to introduce him with a smile, when Shi Lingyan rushed towards him with a cheerful smile, wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him hard.

Now the two are about the same height, Shi Lingyan's figure is even more slender, and her whole body has a lot of strength. Zhu Xiu hugged her slender waist and took two steps back to stabilize her figure.

"Yan'er." Just as Zhu Xiu was about to speak, he felt his cheeks went cold and a "chirp" sounded in his ears.

Shi Lingyan pecked him hard on the cheek, tightened his neck, and pouted slightly, with a fierce face, but the joy in his eyes could not be hidden: "Zhu Xiu, I miss you so much! Do you miss me?"

Zhu Xiu was a little embarrassed with so many eyes staring at him, but judging from the force coming from his neck, if he said something wrong, he could not rule out being killed on the spot.

"Yan'er, I miss you too!" Zhu Xiu looked into her eyes seriously.

"Hee hee!" Shi Lingyan's eyes turned into crescent moons, full of joy, and she leaned close to him and hugged him tightly.

Li Chongjin's eyes widened with envy on his face.

Pan Mei winked, with an ambiguous look on her face.

Fu Jinzhan was slightly surprised, with a meaningful smile on his lips.

"Ahem~" Shi Kuangwei coughed hard several times, his eyes as sharp as knives.

Zhu Xiu felt guilty about being a thief when he hugged his daughter in public, and pushed Shi Lingyan away with a smile.

"Let me introduce you, this is Shi Lingyan, the daughter of Shi Jieshuai. This is the eldest lady of the Fu family."

Shi Lingyan said obediently: "Yan'er pays homage to Mrs. Fu."

Fu Jinzhan smiled and said: "Sister Yan'er, there is no need to be polite, just call me sister from now on."

"Sister Fu." Shi Lingyan smiled coquettishly, decisively abandoned Zhu Xiu, ran to Fu Jinzhan, held hands and said affectionately: "Sister Fu knows martial arts? I will give you some guidance someday!"

Fu Jinzhan smiled and said: "I'm afraid my sister's basic skills are not as good as my sister's. If I have time someday, we can compete with each other."

"Great!" Shi Lingyan was overjoyed.

Li Chongjin approached Zhu Xiu with a stern look on his face and said, "You haven't introduced me yet!"

Zhu Xiu took a step away in disgust and said perfunctorily: "This man's name is Li Chongjin, 28, no official, no position and no money, unmarried, Marshal Guo's nephew."

Li Chongjin, who had never known what shame was, suddenly became ashamed, his face flushed as red as red coals, and he said in a loud voice: "Who said I have no official position! I... I am the commander under Guo Shuai."

Li Chongjin's voice became weaker and weaker. Even he felt that the resume of a small commander was really hard to use.

Shi Kuangwei glared at Zhu Xiu, hurriedly clasped his fists to save the situation and said: "It turns out to be Guo Shuai's nephew. No wonder he is a fierce warrior at a glance! Shi Kuangwei of Zhangyi Army has met Li Yanei!"

Li Chongjin hastily returned the courtesy and said: "Don't dare! Shi Jieshuai is an elder, so you can just call me by my name. My uncle often said that the three generations of Shi Jieshuai's family have guarded the border for the country and have worked hard. Shi Jieshuai is a general who is accustomed to fighting. The pillar of the country. Zhong Jin is visiting Jingzhou this time and hopes to have the opportunity to learn more from Shi Jieshuai."

"Haha~ Marshal Guo is so praised! Shi is very happy that his nephew has visited Jingzhou. If you need anything, just tell Zhu Xiu."

Shi Kuangwei liked Li Chongjin quite a lot. In him, Lao Shi seemed to see himself when he was young.

Zhu Xiu's face was full of surprise. It turned out that Li Chongjin could also speak well.

Li Chongjin chuckled and winked at Zhu Xiu, feeling quite proud.

"I've met Shi Jieshuai." Fu Jinzhan said with a smile.

Shi Kuangwei said with emotion: "I said goodbye to Cangzhou. I didn't expect to see Mrs. Fu in Jingzhou again."

Fu Jinzhan said with a smile: "I am taking the liberty to visit you. I hope it will not disturb Shi Jieshuai's peace."

Skuangwei said with a smile: "Where there is Zhu boy, there is no peace. It is good for you young people to gather together, this world will be in your hands in the future~"

Fu Jinzhan smiled and nodded: "Don't worry, Shi Jieshuai, the world is difficult, and we should support each other and tide over the difficulties together."

"It's good that Madam Fu understands." Shi Kuangwei folded his sleeves, looking more and more like a simple and honest old country farmer, "We'll go back to the city before we go back to the house. I'll hold a banquet in the house today to welcome you two!"

The group entered the county town and headed to Jiedu Mansion.

Pan Mei led the Beihu Battalion to rush back to the Yacheng Military Camp, and then announced that it would be disbanded on the spot and the entire Beihu Battalion would have a five-day holiday.

On the way, Shi Lingyan was chattering around Fu Jinzhan, and Shi Kuangwei dragged Zhu Xiu into the carriage.

"You brat! Tell me! What are your intentions?" As soon as he got in the car, Lao Shi showed his fierce look.

Zhu Xiu glanced at him sideways: "What do you mean?"

Shi Kuangwei said with a fierce face: "What do you want to do by kidnapping Fu Jinzhan to Jingzhou? You kid, don't forget, she is a little widow who has just escaped from the sea of ​​misery!"

Zhu Xiu rolled her eyes and said: "What kind of abduction? It's so unpleasant! It's Mrs. Fu who is interested in the development of Jingzhou and specially wants to come and inspect it. Fu Zhaoxin is still in Qizhou, and Mrs. Fu came to Jingzhou to stay for a while. , I will return with my brother when the time comes, what’s the problem?”

Shi Kuangwei stared at him with eyes full of scrutiny: "Are you sure you didn't trick Fu Jinzhan to come to Jingzhou on purpose? You wanted to take advantage of her husband's new death to plot evil?"

Zhu Xiu's eyes widened little by little, filled with shame and anger: "Am I such a beast?"

Shi Kuangwei's face was full of disdain: "Back in Cangzhou, you looked at Mrs. Fu with an unusual look. Now that she is a widow, it is a good opportunity for you to take advantage of her."

Zhu Xiu blushed and argued: "Nonsense! I only have respect for Mrs. Fu! Why should I think otherwise!"

Shi Kuangwei sneered several times, and then said with a sincere look on his face: "I, Old Shi, have been here before. Please listen to my advice, Madam Fu is not suitable for you. Think about it, Madam Fu is much older than you, and she has only seen old husbands and young wives. When will you have an old wife and a young husband? Even if Mrs. Fu admires you, she will not agree due to worldly opinions. Even if Mrs. Fu agrees, the Fu family will never marry their eldest daughter to you!
You are still young, you should find someone of similar age."

Zhu Xiu smiled bitterly: "I brought Madam Fu to Jingzhou for no other reason than to deepen our relationship and keep in touch with the Fu family. If the Zhangyi Army wants to develop and grow, in addition to its own efforts, it must also maintain good relations with the rest of the world. Because of the strong vassal relationship, we are not welcomed by the court. If there is no one to help us in the court, wouldn't we be constrained everywhere?" "Do you really think so?" Shi Kuangwei was still a little doubtful.

Zhu Xiu patted her chest and promised, "I won't lie to anyone, nor will I lie to you."

Shi Kuangwei nodded and muttered: "That's pretty much it."

Lifting the car curtains, Lao Shi glanced out slyly, his dark face turned ferocious again, grabbed Zhu Xiu's collar, and whispered in a vicious voice: "Yan'er has already tricked you, her affection for you You kid should understand! If you dare to betray her, I will never let you go!"

Zhu Xiu smiled and whispered with a guilty conscience: "But Yan'er seems to be two years older than me."

"Obviously one year and six months old! Less than two years old! What are you afraid of?"

Shi Kuangwei glared like a bell, "Although Yan'er is older than you, he has a simple heart and a straightforward temperament. How can his mind and city be compared to yours? He is also unmarried, so is he still not worthy of you?"

"That's right~ To be favored by wild geese, I'm really the one to climb!" Zhu Xiu hurriedly cupped her hands in praise.

Shi Kuangwei said bitterly: "I'm taking advantage of you, kid!"

Shikou grabbed Zhu Xiu's hand by the collar, and Shi Kuangwei hummed and said: "Find an opportunity, you and Yan'er clarify your relationship. If she has no objection, we will get married by the end of the year."

"Ah?" Zhu Xiu was startled and stammered: "Isn't it too...too hasty! At my current age, getting married, isn't it...too...that~"

Skuangwei frowned, glanced at him, his eyes stayed on the lower body, and pondered for a while: "Well, it's a bit small, but Yan'er is about to turn eighteen. Waiting for another two years, won't she become an old girl?"

Skuangwei scratched his scalp vigorously, slapped his forehead, and his face was full of distress.

Zhu Xiu said cautiously: "In my opinion, it is better to let this matter go first? Although Li Shouzhen's rebellion has subsided, there will still be no peace in Kaifeng. The court situation is turbulent and there are many things. It is indeed not a good idea to discuss marriage. when."

Shi Kuangwei thought for a while and stared at him: "Hurry up and send people to Haozhou to inquire about your relatives. If you can find the elders in your family, they will come to Jingzhou immediately. With the elders of both parties, the marriage can be settled! In case you The kid is so frivolous that he keeps wandering around all day long!"

"Oh~ I also like Yan'er very much, how could I let her down? Don't worry!" Zhu Xiu vowed.

"Hmph~ You have a conscience!" Shi Kuangwei crossed his arms over his chest and snorted coldly, but there was a smile of satisfaction on the corner of his mouth.

Zhu Xiu secretly smiled bitterly. They had spent time together day and night in the past two years. Of course he also liked the innocent, lively and smart Shi Lingyan.

It's just that it's psychologically unacceptable for him to get married at the biological age of sixteen or seventeen.

Besides, the great changes during the Qianyou years had just begun, and he really had no time to think about personal issues.

Guo Wei and Fu didn't know how to reply.

Zhu Xiu stole a glance at Shi Kuangwei, who was full of spring, if he knew that Uncle Guo wanted to marry him to the Fu family, I am afraid that Lao Shi would be so angry that he would use a machete to cut him on the spot
Sigh~ Being too good and too rare is also a headache.
Fu Jinzhan and Li Chongjin moved into Jiedu Mansion, rested for half a day each, and met again in the evening.

Zhu Xiu was pestered by Shi Lingyan and asked questions. He was finally dismissed and hurriedly hid in the office, inviting Yan Ping to ask about the current situation of Zhang Yijun.

"Tao Wenju stayed in Changwucheng and presided over the migration of the people in Pizhou. The salt factory was involved in iron and stone management, Guanghe Commercial Center had Wu Dazhan, the cement ash workshop in Qingshiling and the firearms workshop in Kongtongshan were operating smoothly, and Pingliang Ranch More than 200 stallions have been added, and the weapons workshop has also made new breakthroughs in the forging process of Yan Ling Dao. The ranch opened by Guanghe Shanghui in Purun County, Qizhou produces cow milk and goat milk every month, in addition to supplying candy making, It is also sold as licking milk, and the sales are pretty good.”

Yan Ping reported one by one the various businesses controlled by Zhang Yijun in the past six months.

Zhu Xiu listened carefully and said with a smile: "Wu Dachuan is really good at doing business, much better than the Wen family."

Yan Ping laughed and said: "The Wen family's hemp twisting business has just started to pick up, and Wen Tai's brothers proposed to separate the family and open a separate hemp twisting workshop. Shao Langjun also taught the new twisting hemp method to Wu Dachuan, Let Wu Dachuan compete with the Wen family.

Later, when Wu Dazhuang saw the huge profits from Guanghe Sugar, he simply gave up setting up a hemp twisting workshop. He only invested a sum of money to Wen Zhongping to support him in setting up workshops in Longzhou and Qizhou. He was considered a member and did not get involved in the business.

Wu Dachuan held the Guanghe Merchant Exchange and was busy trafficking saltpeter and sulfur from Sichuan. He did not look down on the small profits of the twisted hemp workshop. "

Zhu Xiu smiled and said: "Wu Dachuan has great courage in doing things. Let him take charge of the operation of Guanghe Commercial Exchange. It seems that we have chosen the right person."

Yan Ping said: "No matter how smart Wu Dazuan is, he is just a businessman. Without the support of Shao Langjun and Zhang Yijun, how could he develop so rapidly."

Zhu Xiu took a sip of tea and said: "Send someone to send a message to Changwucheng to ask Tao Wenju to withdraw. Sixty-seven percent of the population of Pizhou has flowed into Jingzhou. Now that the rebellion in Guanzhong has been extinguished, the imperial court will send a message soon." The new officials are in charge of Pizhou, so don’t follow the facts as it will cause too much trouble.”

"Your subordinates obey!" Yan Ping responded, thinking about it and said: "Bi Zhenhai should be in Fuzhou now, and the business there is also good. He sent a letter back saying that he would like to visit Danzhou again."

Zhu Xiu shook his head and said: "No, let him come back. The production capacity of Yangjinchuan Salt Factory has always been limited. The current stable sales are enough, and there is no need to expand further. The private salt business can only be used for emergencies and cannot be relied on for a long time. When the imperial court frees up its hands, it will definitely regulate the salt and iron transshipment in Longyou and Guanzhong areas, and it will be difficult to do business by then."

Yan Ping agreed and kept it in mind.

"By the way, there is one more thing. I feel something is a little unusual."

Yan Ping glanced outside the room and lowered his voice: "Not long after Mr. Shao Lang left Jingzhou, news came from Longshan Pass. The defenders at the pass found signs of Tibetan activities. The handsome master ordered Wei Hu to lead his army to support him. In the past six months, he had The Tubo people occasionally fought against each other outside the customs, but no large-scale war broke out.

However, the amount of money and food transported to Longshan Pass has increased a lot. According to the estimates of the subordinates, based on the existing troops stationed at Longshan Pass, the military needs should be half of the current consumption. "

Zhu Xiu frowned, pondered for a moment and said: "Every summer and autumn, the Tubo people move frequently, so it is understandable to strengthen the defense of several passes. Don't let the handsome man know about this matter for the time being. You can investigate in secret and see what's going on over there at Longshan Pass." What exactly is going on.”

"My subordinates understand." Yan Ping accepted the order.

The Longshan Pass, Liupan Pass, and Xiwating passes in Yuanzhou have been guarded by several town generals appointed by Wei Hu. According to the current military structure of the Zhangyi Army, they can be regarded as outside town soldiers.

Zhu Xiu reorganized the Ya Army and held the core military strength of the Changyi Army in his hands, and had not yet touched the outer town soldiers.

These scattered foreign soldiers totaled no less than 5000 people and were distributed at various passes in Yuanzhou.

Several town generals are not very familiar with Zhu Xiu, and some have not even met yet.

Some abnormalities cannot be investigated openly. We can only find out the situation secretly first.

The sky was darkening, and Shi Lingyan's voice calling him could be heard outside the house.

Zhu Xiu stood up and walked out of the house with Yan Ping. He remembered something and asked, "Is everything going on over there at the transformation site?"

Yan Ping thought for a while and said: "More than a month ago, I heard that a few strangers were caught running wild on Baiyan Avenue. They seemed to want to spy on the salt factory. They were caught on the spot by Commander Guan and thrown into the reconstruction site to work until the investigation is clear. The origins of these people will be dealt with later.”

Zhu Xiu said indifferently: "The salt factory is like a golden mountain, and all kinds of monsters and monsters want to go in and have a look."

Yan Ping smiled and said, "Young Master, do you want to interrogate those foreigners?"

Zhu Xiu thought for a moment and shook his head: "Forget it, leave this little matter to Guan Tieshi. Once the investigation is clear, if there are no problems, let him go. The rehabilitation site is not a place for innocent souls, and we can't kill people randomly."

"Young Master is kind."

(End of this chapter)