At the same time, the horse farms in Hokkaido have also had a great harvest this year. The war horses selected by Liu Pei began to multiply, and the horse herd became larger and larger. In time, a cavalry force will actually appear on the mainland.

Peace on the Malay Peninsula has also been established! A large number of merchants poured in and started trading with other countries and tribes in Southeast Asia, Indians and Westerners.

In this way, there are two business nodes under Liu Pei, one is Penghu and the other is Heping City. The two places are targeting different directions, but there is no competition. On the contrary, the cake is made bigger and the money is more!

This means that Liu Pei has more taxes and tolls. But even so, Liu Pei did not get rid of the dilemma of insufficient funds. Because in the past year, Liu Pei has provided a lot of other supplies to the victims.

You must know that those victims really came to Southeast Asia empty-handed, and everything they needed had to be provided by Liu Pei. That's a huge amount of money. But at least at this time, Liu Pei's books are not so ugly!

In July, Liu Pei left his family for postage and lived in the barracks. He personally selected five thousand people to start training. Of the 5,000 men were 2,000 pikemen and 3,000 gunners.

Qi Qitao, who got the news, deliberately ran back from Southeast Asia. Originally, the troops he commanded there were fighting against the natives, and as soon as he heard that Liu Pei had selected soldiers, he knew that there was another big battle to be fought, so he rushed back in a hurry.

When he arrived at the barracks, Liu Peigang led the soldiers to end the exercise. Qi Qitao rushed up and said, "Dashuai, I'm back!" Dashuai, who are you going to fight when you gather 5,000 people this time? ”

Liu Pei laughed and said: "Your nose is pointy, and you ran back when you smelled it!" ”

Qi Qitao smiled proudly: "When this big battle is fought, the marshal can't leave me, right?" ”

Liu Pei said: "This time it is really your business, and the task is extremely important!" ”

Qi Qitao puffed up his chest and said: "Don't worry, Dashuai, I promise to complete the task." You say, who is going to hit? ”

Liu Pei beckoned and motioned for Qi Qitao to follow him. The two walked towards the barracks together, Liu Pei sorted out his clothes and said, "Your task is very good."

Important, but not offensively, but defensively. ”

Qi Qitao was stunned for a moment, and then said nonchalantly: "It's okay to defend!" That must be a critical position, right? ”

Liu Pei said: "It's hard to say whether it's important or not, but it's very important. It's the capital of Laizhou Prefecture,"

Qi Qitao was stunned for a moment and said, "Dashuai, what is there to defend there?" Could it be that you are ready to turn against the court now? ”

Liu Pei glared at Qi Qitao and said, "Just your mouth!" ”

While they were talking, the two of them had already entered the barracks. Liu Pei took out a map and put it on the table, and said, "Do you know where this is?" ”

Qi Qitao leaned over and said after a while, "This is Liaodong, right?" ”

Liu Pei said: "That's right, it's Liaodong." You have also read the report of the imperial court, the imperial court has arranged for people to build Daling City, do you think the imperial court will succeed? ”

Qi Qitao pouted and said: "I think the location of this city is very critical, and Houjin may not be willing to let them succeed in building it!" However, using this city as bait, it is okay to consume the Houjin army. I'm just afraid that the Ming army won't be able to fight a tough battle! ”

Liu Pei clicked on the location of Daling City on the map and said, "This is the problem!" The Ming army couldn't fight a tough battle, and built a city so far away. I'm afraid that not only will it not achieve the purpose of consuming the Houjin Army, but it will trap itself in it! Look at it, maybe the order for the imperial court to transfer troops will come down in a few days! ”

Qi Qitao hurriedly said: "Dashuai, let's not wade into this wave of troubled waters!" The people in our family are not raised by the imperial court with money! ”

Liu Pei said with a smile: "I naturally know this. That's why I asked you to defend Laizhou City, just in case. ”

Qi Qitao said: "Just in case? Is there still a sect in turmoil? ”

Liu Pei said: "I'm afraid that the Liaodong army in Shandong will cause chaos. These Liaodong troops can fight, but they have no military discipline. Moreover, the information collected by the Intelligence Bureau shows that they have the potential to rebel. Because they don't want to go to Liaodong to fight with Houjin! ”

Liu Pei definitely couldn't say that he knew the news of Kong Youde's rebellion in advance, so he could only use the excuse that they were afraid of the Houjin army and didn't dare to go to Liaodong to fight.

But to Qi Qitao's ears, this excuse is completely reasonable.

Qi Qitao said: "Dashuai, how many people can you give me?" How long? ”

Liu Pei said: "There are up to 2,000 people, and firearms are not allowed. Artillery. As for how long it will last, it depends on the imperial court, and it is estimated that it will take a few months, right? ”

Qi Qitao heard it and said excitedly: "No problem, but are you sure that they will attack Fucheng?" ”

Liu Pei said: "It's just a matter of being prepared." But I guess if they rebel, they won't go inland. They will definitely try to divide Denglai, and if things go wrong, they will use the sailors' ships to flee to Houjin. Then Laizhou City is the place they must capture. ”

Hearing this, Qi Qitao began to scratch his hair desperately. Liu Pei also knew that there were too many loopholes in his statement, so he simply interrupted Qi Qitao's thoughts and said, "You can't show up openly with two thousand people." It is necessary to mix into Laizhou City one after another in advance. I have already stored a large amount of food and medicine in the city, and when the time comes, you will help my father-in-law to defend the city of Laizhou. Alright, time is running out, it's time for you to get ready. ”

So Qi Qitao, who was confused, prepared to go. But fortunately, there is one thing, that is, Qi Qitao is Liu Pei's old subordinate, and he has never doubted Liu Pei's words. Moreover, Liu Pei's orders over the years have been quite predictable, which has reduced Qi Qitao's suspicions even more. So he didn't ask any questions, after all, Qi Qitao was no longer the farmer in the small village at this time.

After Qi Qitao got the list of materials that Liu Pei had already transported into Laizhou, he added a batch of materials and quietly transported them in. Of course, Liu Pei is all right.

In real history, Laizhou City was not breached without defense, so with the additional materials and manpower prepared by Liu Pei, it was even more stable. Besides, Wang Changde had already been reminded by Liu Pei and was already preparing in secret.

The reason why Liu Pei did this is because the combat effectiveness of the Dongjiang Army is now much stronger than in normal history!

Since Liu Pei started doing business with Mao Wenlong many years ago, Liu Pei has been giving blood transfusions to the Dongjiang Army. It was Liu Pei who did not interrupt this supply in the most difficult time.