Chu Liang smiled bitterly, and bowed slightly with a solemn expression: "Please Captain Mingjian, our opponent this time is different from those people in the rivers and lakes before." ”

Xue Ju glanced at Chu Liang fixedly, and then asked Hao Ying with a solemn expression: "Mr. Hao, what do you think of Mr. Chu's words?"

Chu Liangzi Ximing, a native of Qiantang, Hangzhou, his ancestral home is Yangzhai, Henan, and his great-grandfather Chu Yan served as the imperial historian in the Southern Liang Dynasty; Zu Meng, who served as the prince's middle houser; and his father Jue, who served as the secretary and supervisor of Chen, are all famous in the Southern Dynasty.

And Chu Liang himself is also young, and he has a great reputation. It is rumored that this person was smart and studious when he was young, and he was good at writing. The expo is everywhere, and the eyes must be remembered. I like to travel to famous people, and you are good at talking. Eighteen-year-olds, who once placed Nan Chen's servants to shoot Xu Ling, discussed articles with them, which greatly surprised the latter.

And this Xu Ling is not only one of the Xiangguo of Nanchen, but also the Wenzong of the Southern Dynasty at that time, famous for his palace style poems. Later, the queen of Chen also heard his name, summoned in the palace, and made the poems, Jiang Zong and the resignation people sitting, and they were entrusted with the important position of the waiter in the Shangshu Palace.

After Chen's death, this person entered Sui as a scholar of the East Palace. In the great cause, he was awarded Dr. Taichang. It's a pity that today's son is jealous of his talent, and in the sixth year of the great cause, he was demoted to the secretary of Xihai County. (The original history is nine years after the Great Cause, and it needs to be advanced here because of the plot.) ）

And that Xihai County, which is the area of Qinghai, is the most marginal area of the Great Sui. The local Han people are less than 1,000 people, and the Qiang tribes are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Great Sui. Therefore, although there is a county name there, it is not in a state that does not match the real name, and the government is in vain.

So this is not only a veritable distribution frontier, but also a suspicion of sending this Chu Liang to death.

Two years ago, Xue Ju forcibly left this person in Jincheng County because of his love for his talent, making it impossible for him to take office. After that, he was surrounded by silver money beauties in every way, and it was not until the end of last year that he was impressed by this person and was willing to give him advice.

Xue Ju still trusts this person, but he is still subconscious at the moment and wants to ask Hao Jin's opinion.

Chu Liang was born in the Southern Dynasty and was a famous literati in the world, and he only joined his command not long ago. But Hao Ming, a native of Hexi, followed him as early as ten years ago and was his confidant.

"Brother Chu's words are true!"

Hao Ying sighed lightly: "That Li Shimin is now an embroidered general, the prince's left guard, not only in charge of the army, but also the leader of the Son of Heaven's secret agents." It can be said that he is deeply trusted by the Son of Heaven, and not long ago, he also won the entire Luoyang black market. The lord also knows that the black market in the eastern capital is powerful, but this person not only copied nearly ninety percent of the black market, but finally retreated. I think that the civil and military attaches in this Kansai land can't help but be afraid of it. ”

"That's not all!"

Chu Liang clenched his fists in his chest: "I also heard an unconfirmed news that Li Shimin has asked for a secret decree and is about to go to Xijing to visit the traces of the Demon Dragon Babu." This is bad news for us. ”

Xue Ju asked arrogantly: "But since it is a secret decree, why did it reach Mr. Chu's ears?

He knew that Chu Liang had a lot of roots in the court, but this person's ears and eyes were not so sensitive.

"This should be someone with a heart who deliberately spread this matter, and I even guess that this is what Li Shimin did himself. ”

Hao Ying said in a condensed voice: "He originally had Shang Fang's sword in his hand, and he was an embroidered general. After obtaining this secret decree, then the right to seize the life and death of all officials below the sixth or seventh grade in this Kansai area is in his hands. can only deliberately release this news, most of which is to deter local officials and generals, and think twice before acting in the next period of time. I think at this time, it is the Taiyuan Wang family, but I am afraid that it will be difficult to help us. ”

"In other words, it's hard for us to borrow the government's help this time, right?

After Xue Ju finished saying this, he raised his hand and grabbed the second tea bowl and smashed it on Xue Rengao's head again, making a 'bang' sound.

After that, he fell into reflection again: "Then can we negotiate peace? I remember that not long ago, someone from there sent a message saying that they wanted to negotiate with me about the share of private salt in Kansai. ”

"That's true! The offer over there is actually quite sincere, as long as Jingzhao, Tianshui, and Wannian have a one-percent share, they will also guarantee that they will not expand again. With his current position and power, this is actually quite restrained, and he is also worthy of these shares. ”

Chu Liang paused, squinted at Xue Rengao next to him, but when he saw the latter's head bleeding and miserable appearance, he still shook his head slightly and didn't say any more.

"As for the peace talks, they have actually made an offer to us through the Taiyuan Wang family. ”

Xue Ju was good at observing words and feelings, and soon found that Chu Liang's face had a little hesitation, and he immediately raised his eyebrows: "This offer is very excessive? Mr. Chu, you just say it directly, there is no need to scruple, I will not be angry with you." ”

Chu Liang then said: "The original meaning over there was to compensate them for nine million yuan, and to send the heads of all the people involved that day to Jiuquan Villa, and to ask for the two arms of the eldest son." ”

"Nine million guan, and Rengao's two hands?"

At this time, not only Xue Rengao's complexion changed greatly, but his eyes showed hatred, but Xue Ju also smiled angrily: "That guy named Li Shimin, he actually doesn't want to talk to us about peace. ”

"Lord Mingjian!"

Hao Ying's face showed a look of shame: "But at that time, the two of us didn't think so, thinking that this peace talk was nothing more than bargaining." The other party's lion opened his mouth, and we landed to pay back the money. So I talked back and forth with them for seven whole days, and lowered the price by four million yuan. But the other party still asked for the eldest son's hand, and asked the eldest son to wear linen and filial piety in front of their deceased's grave. It was only at this time that Brother Chu and I thought that the other party might not have any intention of making peace at all. All of this is just to stall for time. ”

"I probably understand, that is, there must be a battle between me and this Li Kaifu, right?"

Xue Ju squinted his eyes and looked at the door of the Mountain Temple fiercely: "Mr. Hao, since we can't attack that Jiuquan Village, then we can burn his family's crops, right?"

"That's fine!"

Hao Ying stood up: "I'll tell them to do it." ”

"There's no rush on this matter!"

Xue Ju shook his head slightly: "I still want to sell the private salt in that guy's hand in the next three months, not a penny in the hands of that guy." And Ye Liji, I want you to completely cut off their trade routes, can you do it?"

Under Hao Ming's head, a man dressed as a Qiang man immediately stood up: "It depends on how much you can invest, the lord?"

Xue Ju did not hesitate: "I will give you 1,800 iron horses, iron tools worth 500,000 guan, grain, tea, and linen cloth, etc." If it is not enough, it can be added later. ”

Naye Liji immediately smiled: "With these goods, enough Qiang people along the way flocked to it. ”

"It's for the best. ”

At this time, Xue Ju asked Chu Liang with a sincere expression: "I want to ask Mr. Chu to help me go to Tubo, and talk to Nangri about the private salt they supply to Qinglong Villa, you might as well transfer it to me Xue Ju." will never let his family's income be lower than today. ”

"Tibet, the West Sea?"

Chu Liang's expression was complicated, and it was said that the Tubo Zampu was now in Qinghai to conquer various tribes.

The so-called West Sea is another name for Qinghai, and it is also the place where he originally served. But he, the head of Xihai County, has never really taken office until now.

He immediately restrained his distracting thoughts: "It's okay, Chu is about to go to the West Sea." ”

"I'm tired of Mr. Chu!"

Xue Ju looked grateful, and then put the matter on his eldest son Xue Rengao: "Unsuccessful guy, since you must want to have a fight with that guy, then I will do what you want." Bring me all the people brought here, and keep an eye on the whereabouts of that Li Kaifu,"

Xue Rengao suddenly perked up, and his face was happy. But then he tightened his face under Hao Ming's signal: "Dare to ask my father, is it because he wants to intercept and kill that Li Shimin? I don't know how far the child can go?"

"Intercept and kill a ghost? He is a confidant of the Son of Heaven and an official of the imperial court, are you going to let the old man rebel? Or let the martial arts Li family and the Sprinkle family fight hard? And the Qinglong Villa, how easy is it? Where can you take it if you want to? I only let you keep an eye on it, and once you find his traces, notify me as soon as possible. ”

Xue Ju snorted coldly, his eyes cold: "I can't move Li Shimin himself, can't I still deal with his subordinates? No matter how strong the tiger is, after it has no minions, it can only be slaughtered by others." Mr. Chu, am I right?"

"This is exactly the best policy! The captain does have the qualifications of an overlord,"

Chu Liang's eyes were full of admiration: "I think Lord Captain, you only need to get rid of those worship martial cultivators around him, presumably this person will be difficult again." In the future, there will be people who will solve this Li Kaifu. ”

When Xue Ju heard this, he couldn't help but smile proudly: "As long as Mr. Chu thinks it's appropriate! Which of the kings fanned the flames in his ears?"

Xue Rengao's expression changed again, but Hao Ying was not surprised. Xue Ju suddenly ran to Tianshui County and attacked the caravan of Qinglong Villa, naturally for no reason.

"This matter has already been investigated by the subordinates, and there are already eyebrows. I suspect that most of the incidents this time are related to the people of the Duke of Chu. The person next to Childe is very likely to be arranged by Yang Xuangan in the dark room of my Xue family. ”

"The Duke of Chu Mansion?"

Xue Ju almost spit out these two words from between his teeth, but just as he was looking at the murderous intention, his thoughts were interrupted by a young man who hurriedly walked in outside the temple gate.

It was his second son Xue Renyue, and his handsome face at this time was full of clouds.

"Father, there is a warning from our shopkeeper in Shanxi that our two salt teams from Xie County have been missing for five days and are likely to have been intercepted and killed. ”

Xue Ju was stunned for a moment, and he was stunned. Probably a few breaths later. He got up suddenly, kicked over the table in front of him, and then laughed: "What a Li Shimin! Let's see if you, the rising star, will shoot me on the beach, or will I, Xue, the old bamboo, be more vigorous and tenacious?"