Great Han Empire

Chapter 338 The Swordsman
Last month, Cai Yong and Wang Jian selected a place in Xuanweng Mountain to start building a school.Without further ado, Xu Rong asked Tang Yun to allocate [-] million yuan to Mr. Cai and Wang.From the construction of the school house to the preparations for the start of the school, Xu Rong handed over all the things to the two of them.The two gentlemen had money, and their spirits were lifted. They immediately called craftsmen to build houses. At the same time, they sent invitations to famous scholars and friends from all over the world, hoping that they could come to Jinyang to teach and contribute to the stability of northern Xinjiang.

Cai Yong wanted to move the tens of thousands of volumes of books stored in Chenliu's hometown to Jinyang. When Zhang Yan heard about it, he was overjoyed and immediately asked the captain Sun Qin to accompany Cai Yong's disciples southward with 200 people.Zhang Yan said to Sun Qin: "A person can die, but a book cannot be lost." When Cai Yong heard this, he was very moved and thanked him repeatedly.Zhang Yan said that we untouchables used to have problems living, let alone studying.Nowadays, children from untouchable families can also go to school, and they can also be taught by celebrities such as Mr., it is really like a dream.Cai Yong said with a smile, this is all thanks to the emperor's mighty grace.

Cai Yong has a grand vision. He plans to build Jinyang School first this year, restore the county schools in Taiyuan and Shangdang counties at the same time, and then restore 29 county schools in the two counties. In the next two years, He plans to set up small schools in Li Township, which has a large population. In the future, he also plans to open schools in various places in northern Xinjiang to enroll the children of Hu people.He told Zhang Yan that adults must help each other in these matters, otherwise it would be very difficult to accomplish.Zhang Yan was very excited when she heard this, she patted her chest and said, "Although sir, I will spare no effort to help."

After Xu Rong heard this, he couldn't laugh or cry.

Zuo Yan said to him: "How much will it cost to realize Mr. Cai's wish? How many scholars who are willing to teach silently and are willing to contribute? Don't say a few years, even ten years may not be able to achieve it. Mr. Cai's service to the country The heart is admirable."

Li Wei said with a smile: "As soon as Mr. Cai opened his mouth, the adults gave [-] million yuan without blinking an eye. Mr. Cai must be thinking, this Zhenbei General's Mansion is very rich, and he can do whatever he wants, so of course he It’s going to be a big deal.”

Xu Rong smiled, and said to Xiao Lan who was sitting on the side: "If you have time, you can visit Mr. Cai and Mr. Wang, and reveal a little about the recent situation in northern Xinjiang. I hope they can understand our difficulties. In the past few years, we still Let’s run Jinyang Academy first.”

===

From the beginning of the first month, Yantie in Bingzhou and Hedong has entered a high-yield period under the supervision of Yantie Captain Xie Ming.More than a dozen wealthy businessmen from all over the country who have obtained the license to operate salt and iron have invested a lot of money in Yanchi Iron Mine. The number of artisans who cook salt and mine has doubled.At the same time, due to the high yield of salt and iron, it also led to the prosperity of other related industries, and more and more merchants and various craftsmen poured into southern Shanxi.

In March, the big cities in Anyi and Jinyang and other small cities along the Chidao County also changed from regular opening to regular opening, and the speed of material circulation became faster and faster.When the Hushi Battalion wiped out the Baibo Yellow Turban and the spring plowing was about to start in April, the speed and quantity of logistics suddenly exploded. The governors at all levels of the Dangsan county government are busy day and night.Everything is for spring plowing.If there is a bumper harvest at the end of the year, the tense situation in northern Xinjiang will be greatly eased next year.

At the same time, Xie Ming, who was in charge of salt and iron in the Zhenbei General's Mansion, and Tang Yun, who was in charge of finance, were also surrounded by many princes, dignitaries, and wealthy businessmen. The beauties with a lot of money tried to bribe Xie Ming and Tang Yun.At first, the two of them socialized out of sympathy, but later such things became more and more difficult for the two of them.Looking at the piles of treasures in the house and the beautiful maid kneeling on the ground, what Xie Ming and Tang Yun saw was no longer treasures and beauties, but the bloody saber in Li Hong's hand.

After Xu Rong heard about it, he immediately invited the two to the General's Mansion in Zhenbei.Xie Ming and Tang Yun kept complaining and tried their best to explain.Xu Rong didn't speak, didn't look at them, and didn't have any expression on his face. He was sitting behind the table, holding his huge hands together, and his two thumbs kept turning. He didn't know what he was thinking. what.Xu Rong's attitude made Xie Ming and Tang Yun very nervous.

Xu Rong was born in Liaodong, Youzhou, and the top and bottom of the Zhenbei General’s Mansion naturally classified him as Li Hong’s confidant. Although he was not a general brought by Li Hong from Youzhou, this kind of regional relationship is sometimes better than the old official relationship. more important.Xu Rong has always been taciturn in the army and doesn't like to show his face very much, but he has a high official position, senior experience, outstanding military exploits, plus he has a gentle temperament, prudent behavior, and loves soldiers like a son, so he has a very high prestige in the army.This time Li Honghe and Xian Yufu led the army to march north, and everyone was not surprised that he was in charge of the Zhenbei General's Mansion.Compared with Qu Yi, everyone is more willing to follow Xu Rong.Qu Yi's bravery and fighting skills are obvious to all, but he is arrogant and arrogant, sharp in speech and deeds, and aggressive. Except for his soldiers, it is difficult for ordinary people to accept him.

Li Wei, Xie Ming and others didn't have much contact with Xu Rong, and everyone didn't know him well, so they were a little uneasy, wondering what he wanted to do?Li Wei quietly made a gesture to Zuo Yan, meaning to tell him to intercede, to test Xu Rong's tone.

Zuo Yan stroked his beard, approached Xu Rong, and whispered, "Zi Lie, although Lianzhi and Wenlong accepted bribes, they did not waste them for personal use, nor did they open the door for those who gave bribes, nor did they affect Yantie. It's about farming, so..." He glanced at Xu Rong, and then asked cautiously, "You see...?"

"How did the General tell you when he was leaving?" Xu Rong finally looked up at Xie Ming and Tang Yun, and said, "When the General left, the rich and wealthy were relieved, did you also Relieved?"

The two dared not make a sound, feeling very wronged in their hearts.To be honest, they did not mean to take bribes, but there are too many people who give gifts and bribes, some of them are out of gratitude or to connect with each other. The relatives of Mr. Situ Xu Xiang, they couldn't push them away even if they wanted to, and some merchants simply left their things and left when they were not at home, and they couldn't catch up.

Especially Xie Ming, if he wants to be corrupt and pervert the law in his position, hundreds of millions of dollars a year will not be a problem, so his teacher Zhao Qi writes to him almost every day, even if it is a business matter, he has to add a few words of advice at the end of the letter , Tell him not to take any money from home.Li Hong's six relatives didn't recognize him, and he killed people like hemp. If he committed a crime, it is estimated that he would not be able to take credit for it.Xie Ming works very hard and is determined to be an upright official. He hardly goes home, but his house is still full of things.

"My lord specifically reminded you two during the meeting of dozens of people, don't you understand your painstaking efforts?" Xu Rong asked word by word, "If your lord is sitting here today, how would you two explain it?"

Xu Rong's tone turned cold, and he whispered, "He will kill you."

Xie Ming and Tang Yun's heart trembled, and they shuddered from head to toe.

"Two little bastards, nothing more to do."

As soon as Xu Rong said this, everyone in the tent let out a sigh of relief.Li Wei secretly called a fluke.Xiao Lan's palms were sweaty due to being too nervous.

"You make a list of the things you have received, and then send them to the treasury. Send the maidservant to Zhongyuan's mansion, and let Xiao Lan handle it at her own discretion." Xu Rong thought for a while, and said, "Next time when this happens, Immediately write a document and send it to the general's residence together with the things, don't ask for trouble."

Xie Ming and Tang Yun hurriedly knelt down to thank them.

Xu Rong sighed, and said, "Lianzhi, Wenlong, I can only save you this time, if you do it again next time, I won't be able to save you."

He pointed to Xiao Lan, "Immediately draw up a document to each government. When similar things happen, all gifts and bribes received will be handed over to the government treasury. If anyone is found to be corrupt and violate the law, they will be arrested and killed. We will never tolerate it."

Xiao Lan bowed and agreed.

===

Xu Rong picked up a volume of documents on the case table, and said to Xie Ming and Tang Yun: "The main reason for calling you here is not for this matter, I want to discuss with you about the storage of grain and the manufacture of ordnance."

"Harvest grain?" Li Wei asked in surprise, "Why do you want to hoard grain?"

"There may be a war at the border." Xu Rong said worriedly, "Master Qu's recent documents have repeatedly mentioned the tense situation of the Huns. He is worried that Tu Ge will take the opportunity to rebel and cause trouble at the border. When the Huns are in chaos, the Xianbei people will be very afraid." It is possible to go south to attack Yanmen Pass. Now the general is leading his troops to the north to suppress the rebellion, and Bingzhou’s defense forces are insufficient. This is indeed a good opportunity for the Hu people to invade. If the border war ignites, we must stick to the pass and prevent the Hu people from invading Taiyuan. And Shangdang, otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain."

"The storage of grain and the manufacture of military equipment are to deal with the invasion of the Hu people."

"My lord, if the Hu people invade Bingzhou, the food and weapons of the army will be provided by the imperial court. We don't have the financial resources and no need to take such a big burden." Tang Fang said, "Even if your lord wants to make preparations early, you should also write to the imperial court." , ask the imperial court to transfer."

Xu Rong shook his hand and said: "Last year, many states and counties had a bumper harvest. Although the national treasury had some income, it was definitely not enough to support the two battlefields of Youzhou and Bingzhou. Therefore, for the sake of northern Xinjiang, for farming, and for the common people, we still have to do it ourselves. Find a way."

"If the Huns and the Xianbei came at the same time, based on our current strength, it shouldn't be a problem to hold on for three to four months, but we don't have much food and weapons, and we can support them for a month at most. After the border war started, Even if the imperial court continues to supply us with food and weapons, the quantity must be limited. There was a shortage of weapons in the Western Xinjiang War last year, and the situation may be even more serious this year. Therefore, I don’t intend to take the risk. Once the border is lost, everything will be lost. It doesn't matter if we die, but what about the millions of people in Bingzhou? What about northern Xinjiang? Even if we are ghosts, we will not be able to rest."

There was no sound in the big tent.

"Your Excellency, do you mean to borrow money?" Xie Ming asked hesitantly, "How much do you want to borrow?"

"I want food and grass for three months. The more weapons the better, the Juzhu Fortress and Jinyang arsenal must be filled." Xu Rong said resolutely, "Money can be borrowed, and the salt and iron in Hedong can make more With more merchants involved in the operation, the scale of our official business can be made larger. In addition, the output of salt ponds and iron mines must increase, and you can recruit more artisans to cook and mine.”

"When it comes to dealing with salt and iron, don't be afraid. Be more courageous. As long as you can increase your income, you will do it without hesitation. You have the General Zhenbei's Mansion above you, and you have the General. What are you afraid of?"

"My lord, the food is easy to handle." Tang Fang said, "Last year, the Central Plains and the South had a bumper harvest of grain, and the warehouses of the wealthy and big households there were full. As long as we bid a little higher, the merchants will be profitable, and they are still willing to buy food from faraway places. Food is sold, but what about weapons? The weapon manufacturing workshops in Yanmen, Jinyang, and Anyi are not large in scale, and there are few skilled craftsmen. The monthly output is very limited. In addition, we manufacture weapons in large quantities. You must get permission from the imperial court, otherwise it will be tantamount to rebellion, and you will kill the nine clans."

"I have already acted to the imperial court in the name of General Zhenbei." Xu Rong said slowly, "Judging from the current situation in northern Xinjiang, the possibility of Hu people's rebellion and invasion is still very high, so the imperial court will definitely agree. rest assured."

"As for workshops, craftsmen, output, etc., I have already thought about it. The scale of the workshop needs to be expanded, and the craftsmen have to go to various places to recruit high salaries, but it will take a few years to meet my requirements. Therefore, we have to find another way .Now there are too many places where money is used in Bingzhou, and it is completely unnecessary to spend money on manufacturing workshops."

"What's your master plan?" Tang Fang asked suspiciously.

"The wealthy businessmen in the Han Kingdom have plenty of money. Let them open workshops and make weapons, and then sell them to us."

Everyone in the tent looked at Xu Rong in horror.

The weapons of the Han Kingdom are all manufactured by official workshops. According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, private manufacture and sale are strictly prohibited. Violators are regarded as treason. Moreover, untouchables are strictly prohibited from owning weapons. Among the four major classes of scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants, only Only the gentry can have a limited number of weapons for self-defense and home protection.If the number of weapons in a gentry's home exceeds the limit of the Dahan law, it will be regarded as treason, just like the possession of weapons by a pariah.The private ironware workshops in the Han Kingdom were used to make kitchen utensils, agricultural tools and other daily necessities. If the owner of the workshop made weapons privately, it would be treason.One of the reasons why the iron is run by the government is that it is worried about private weapons manufacturing and rebellion.

Xu Rong looked at everyone's expressions, smiled slightly, and said: "It's not that our Zhenbei General's Mansion opened a workshop to make weapons, we just instigated those wealthy businessmen to do it, what are you afraid of?"

"Merchants are greedy for profit. If there is double the profit, you just tell them to kill and set fire, and they will do it, not to mention this profitable weapon business." Xu Rong said, "Look at Xu Ling, the rich man in Guanzhong, and the Hedong Wei family. One is backed by the queen mother, and the other is backed by the emperor. What kind of people can't do anything like this? I just need to tell them, I want a weapon, a weapon from an arsenal, and the price is favorable. It won't take long before they will Bring me the weapon."

"Do you believe it or not?"

Everyone was dumbfounded, and no one believed it.

Xu Rong stroked his beard and said: "The Qiang people in western Xinjiang rebelled repeatedly, but every time they rebelled, they had swords and crossbows, a considerable number of swords and crossbows, and the Yellow Turban Army. , How did their swords and crossbows come from? Were they all snatched from the arsenals of various counties? Were they all seized from the battlefield? Maybe you think they can use iron from smugglers to make them themselves. Then, the Qiang people have such Are there good craftsmen? There are also Huns, Xianbei, and Karasumas, do they all have batches of craftsmen who can make swords and crossbows?"

"When I was in Xijiang, I knew that there were merchants in Guanzhong who privately made weapons and sold them to the Hu people." Xu Rong said coldly, "Do you know how many of my subordinates died under these swords and crossbows? Good things can be sold for money, and everything can be sold, including ancestors and the country."

It was the first time for Li Wei and the others to hear such a shocking thing, and their faces were full of indignation, but Zuo Yan's expression was very calm. It seemed that he already knew about it when he was in the Yellow Turban Army.

"Lianzhi, after you return to Hedong, tell Guanzhong Xu Ling and the Hedong Wei family about this matter." Xu Rong pointed to Xu Ling and said, "Just inform these two families, they will have their own way to give us the weapons. "

"Zi Lie, we need weapons from two arsenals, and they will definitely not be able to get them together. What if something goes wrong?" Zuo Yan asked in a low voice.

Xu Rong smiled and said: "It's probably about the same. They can build it by themselves for money, and they can go to various county government offices to buy it secretly. It should be ready in two or three months, but considering that we will go north to regain the lost land in the future, More weapons are needed, so..."

Xu Rong turned his head to look at Lianzhi, and continued: "You tell them, the best way is that they spend their own money to open workshops, or invest money to expand our official workshops, and we share the profits with them. But no matter what they choose All these methods require the permission of the imperial court, so you tell them to go to Luoyang to find a way by themselves, we will not get involved in this matter, we only need weapons."

"My lord, have we borrowed so much money?" Xie Ming asked worriedly, "In the future, will we be able to afford it?"

Xu Rong frowned and said, "Who said that the money to buy weapons came from the Zhenbei General's House? If it gets out, we're not dead. You want to rebel?"

Xie Ming was startled and shook his hands again and again.He thought to himself, didn't you say you would spend money to buy it?Could it be that the court should pay for it?

"The imperial court pays." Xu Rong said, "We just ask for it, and they will find a way. This is a lucrative business, as long as you ask for it, you can't go back on your word. If you don't want it, they will force you to take it. "

Xie Ming looked at him suspiciously, and asked in disbelief: "My lord, is there such a good thing?"

"When I was in Xiliang, Huangfusong bought weapons from the rich men in Guanzhong. He didn't pay any money, but those rich men not only sent the weapons, but also sent a generous gift to Mr. Huangfu. These people have all hands and eyes, There are ways." Xu Rong said disdainfully, "The Son of Heaven can reopen salt and iron in Bingzhou and Hedong, so why can't he reopen salt and iron in other places?"

Everyone suddenly realized.

Xu Rong looked at Li Wei and the others, and said with a smile: "You guys are tied up when you encounter violations of the law. You don't have any cunning of businessmen. You have to learn from it. Although it is against your wishes, as long as it is for the Han Kingdom, for the sake of Common people, for the sake of northern Xinjiang, what can’t be done? Today’s imperial court is corrupt, eunuchs take power, and the country is in turmoil. These years are different from the past, very different.”

Li Wei, Xie Ming and the others looked at each other in blank dismay, bowing down to be taught.

"I don't usually like to talk, but it doesn't mean that I don't talk, and it doesn't mean that I don't like to listen to you talking, so if you have anything to say, you should still talk, and you should discuss with me. Xu Rong laughed, "Look, didn't I say a lot today?"

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere in the big tent suddenly relaxed a lot, but before everyone had a chat or a laugh, the [-]-mile Kuaiqi rushed into the camp.

Tu Gezu rebelled again.

===

Qu Yi was very angry. He had seen many shameless barbarians, but he had never seen such a shameless barbarian.Just now they vowed to form an alliance and reconcile, but then they turned around again.

Qu Yi rushed towards Huze with Fengyun Cavalry and Du Liaoying.

Tiger King Baima Tong probably didn't expect the Han army to come so fast.Before he arrived at Huze with his army, his [-] vanguard army was surrounded by the rushing Han army.

The angry Qu Yi only said three words: "Kill me."

An army of [-] rushed forward, and immediately killed [-] Huns.

Still perplexed, Qu Yi ordered the heads of the Huns to be cut off, and placed a big "kill" character on the battlefield.

Baima Tong seemed to be intimidated, and commanded the army to retreat fifty miles.

Du Liao's lieutenant Yang Ming led the Du Liao camp to chase him for twenty miles before he was called back by Qu Yi.Yang Ming returned to Huze angrily, and called out to Qu Yi, "Why didn't you chase after him? What's so scary about that bastard Baima Tong? Is it possible that my lord is timid?" Cut off the white horse and copper to feed the dog. "

Yang Ming is in his twenties, with a hulking back, handsome and mighty, with a pair of big and powerful eyes under a pair of sword-shaped eyebrows.Yang Ming's family background is very prominent. He is the grandson of the former Taiwei Yang Ci, the nephew of the eunuch Yang Biao, and the protégé of the former Taiwei Zhang Wen.His first battle in the army was to follow Huangfusong to Jizhou to fight the Yellow Turban Army. Later, he served as Sima of the Northern Army, and soon went to the outside of the Great Wall with Du Liao General Liu Bo.This man is very good at martial arts, he is familiar with the art of war, and he became a lieutenant at a young age, not only because of his family background, but also because of his illustrious military achievements.In this era, a disciple of a powerful family and a descendant of a powerful person can defend the border and fight, which is very admirable, but like many disciples of a powerful person, he has a bad habit of arrogance and indulgence, and often does things that violate the law and discipline.

When Xian Yufu was the Hun general, he had strict military discipline and persuaded people with reasoning. Although Yang Ming was punished twice by him, he was convinced.This time when Qu Yi came, the two of them unexpectedly lost their tempers, they had a feeling of resentment for seeing each other, and they often drank all night.

Qu Yi glared at him, and said dissatisfiedly, "What's your name? I still want to chase after you?"

"Then why don't you chase?"

"Da Shanyu wants to mediate." Qu Yi said bitterly, "Qiang Qu is a softie, he just acts as a peacemaker when he has nothing to do. If he is slaughtered by a white horse one day, I think he will still be a peacemaker."

===

In the evening, Qu Yi summoned Fengyun Cavalry and the generals of the Duliao camp to discuss matters.

It has been more than half a year since Fengyun cavalry arrived outside the Great Wall with Xian Yufu, and they spend every day with the generals of the Duliao battalion, and they are already very familiar with each other.

The five army Sima in the Liao camp are all young, and the oldest is only 25 or [-] years old.Li Qing looks very delicate, and he speaks and acts very calmly.Gan Xiang is strong and strong, and he is bold.Yongchen is a Shanyue native from the south, the son of a tribal chief.After enlisting in the army, he served as a soldier in the Yueqi Battalion of the Northern Army, under Yang Ming.Yang Ming and him are like brothers, and they brought him here together when they arrived at the border.He is very powerful in martial arts, honest and loyal, and he is tough and brave in battle.Yongchen speaks Luoyang dialect with a strong southern accent, which is hard to hear, but he likes to talk, so everyone jokes with him when they have something to do.Sun Feng is Sun Jian's cousin. He also served as a soldier in the Northern Army and served as a bodyguard for Liu Bo. When Liu Bo arrived at the border, he naturally came too. But when Liu Bo left, he couldn't leave because he had already It is the leader of the army Sima.Yuan Yin is from Shuofang, a tall, black-faced man with an ugly appearance that makes people daunting.His father was a Hun and his mother was a Han.When he was very young, his parents were killed in the civil strife of the Huns. His grandfather found him after all kinds of hardships, bought him back with five sheep, and raised him.

Qu Yi still wanted to fight.

"Qiang Qu wants to mediate, let him mediate, we will fight us." Qu Yi said, "The general led his troops to the north to suppress the rebellion, and there are very few defensive troops in Bingzhou. If Tu Ge keeps making rebellions like this, it will be a huge threat to the stability of northern Xinjiang. We have beaten Tu Geren and killed Baima Tong, which is good for the Xiongnu and the stability of northern Xinjiang."

Yang Ming stood up excitedly, and shouted: "Okay, that's right. Our Great Han Kingdom is good enough to the Huns, and even gave up our own territory to them to live in, but this Baima Tong and Tu various pigs Not as good as a dog, not only is it not grateful for the great grace of our great Han emperor, but also wholeheartedly thinking about killing us Han people and robbing us Han people.

Qu Yi frowned and said, "Zi Liang, can you lower your voice, I'm deaf?"

Everyone roared with laughter, Yang Ming smiled embarrassedly and sat back.

Heng Ji said with a smile: "Today, Bai Ma Tong did not fight, and suddenly retreated, which is a bit abnormal. I think we should also retreat to induce him to take the initiative to attack. In this way, in the future, if Da Shanyu wants to blame us, we will have an excuse. "

"I think so too." Qu Yi said, "We withdrew Huze and beat him at Yuemayuan..."

At this moment, the sound of horseshoes rushing like thunder came from outside the tent, Qu Yi was startled, and looked up towards the curtain.

A Hun messenger was drenched in blood, and rushed into the big tent rolling and crawling.

"My lord, Da Shanyu was killed."

===

(End of this chapter)