Huguang, Wuchang.

Hu Quancai, the governor of Huguang, looked at a military report with a solemn expression.

According to the reports of the prefects of Jingzhou Prefecture and Yunyang Prefecture, recently, the thieves in Kuidong have made frequent moves.

In Badong and Xingshan, Li Laiheng mobilized a large army to collect grain and grass along the Yangtze River. Hao Shaoqi of Fang County also has the meaning of attacking Yunyang.

What's going on, are you ready to take advantage of the autumn harvest to fight the autumn wind?

The thieves in Kuidong have always been Hu Quancai's henchmen.

When Hong Chengchou was still the governor of Huguang, Hu Quancai was the governor of Yunyang under Hong Chengchou.

He has been fighting against Hao Shaoqi for many years, and he knows very well the style of these thieves.

Even if they capture a city, most of them will not be able to defend it for a long time, so most of them will grab it and run.

Compared with money, most of the thieves in Kuidong care more about food.

Not long after the autumn harvest, these thieves should be eyeing grain again.

"Your Excellency, according to what you see, don't be too concerned. It is only necessary to strictly order the fortified walls of Yunyang and Jingzhou to defend well. If the thief can't get the benefits, he will definitely get out. ”

The voice was Hu Quancai's aide Zhou Peigong.

He was originally just a small official in the Huguang Yamen, but he was excavated by Hu Quancai because of an accident, and he has been keeping it with him since then.

Zhou Peigong is very young, only twenty years old, but his thinking is very clear. Many people who have been in officialdom for many years are not as good as him.

At first, Hu Quancai only asked Zhou Peigong to deal with some chores, and after confirming his ability, Hu Quancai began to let him touch some important things. Such as analyzing the recitals and writing recitals to the imperial court.

Zhou Peigong did everything very well, and Hu Quancai delegated power and used Zhou Peigong as a confidant.

"It's just that the Governor always thinks this time is a little unusual."

As a high-ranking official appointed by the Qing court, Hu Quancai was responsible for the whole of Huguang.

Except for Badong and Xingshan occupied by Li Laiheng, and Fangxian occupied by Hao Shaoqi, the entire Huguang was under the control of the Qing army.

Huguang is the granary of the world, and there is no room for error. It can be said that more than seventy percent of the grain of the Qing army was provided by Huguang.

If Huguang changed hands, the strength between the Ming army and the Qing army would change instantly.

Even if Hong Chengchou transferred the main force to Guizhou, Huguang still had 100,000 garrisons.

Among them, there are 30,000 elite soldiers in Wuchang Mansion. Yunyang and Jingzhou each have 10,000 people, and the remaining tens of thousands are scattered in other provinces.

"Pei Gong, you write a handwritten letter to Yunyang Mansion and Jingzhou Mansion with the order of this governor, and order them to stick to the city, no matter what!"

For Hu Quancai, as long as he defends the city, it is enough. The matter of expanding the territory is what Hong Chengchou and Ao Bai have to do.

As long as the city is not lost, he, the governor of Huguang, will be able to continue to do it.

Huguang is a rich place, Hu Quancai can get more than 100,000 taels of silver in a year, but he doesn't want to be transferred out easily.

For him, nothing happening is the best thing.

"Yes!"

Zhou Peigong, as a staff member, can only put forward his own suggestions, and the choice or not naturally depends on Hu Quancai.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with being careful, and the Governor is also a cautious man, he understands that.

"In a few days, it will be your mother's birthday. The Governor has also prepared a gift, and you will be granted three days' leave, so that you will not be on duty with me. ”

Zhou Peigong was overjoyed when he heard this, and thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Pei will definitely live up to your expectations." ”

Zhou Peigong is a native of Jingmen, Huguang, originally a small official, and since he became Hu Quancai's staff, he took the old lady from his hometown.

In his opinion, it is much more useful for someone of his background to play for Hu Quancai than for the imperial examination.

Once he gets Hu Quancai's appreciation and recommendation, he is likely to be able to rise above the officialdom.

So no matter what, he has to hold Hu Quancai's thick leg unshaken, and everything is aimed at pleasing Hu Quancai.

Wasn't Hu Quancai Hong Chengchou's protégé back then?

If Hu Quancai is promoted in the future, he will naturally not treat him as a staff member badly.

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When Zhu Youlang arrived in Padang, it was already dusk.

Li Laiheng specially led his troops from Xingshan to pick up the driver.

As the easternmost town controlled by the Ming army along the Yangtze River, Li Laiheng had a heavy army in Badong, with a daily garrison of 20,000 alone.

You must know that this number is twice that of the Qing army in Jingzhou Mansion, which is enough to see Li Laiheng's attention.

In addition to meeting the Son of Heaven, Li Laiheng was also in a good mood when he saw these uncles, and chatted happily.

Like Yuan Zongdi, Liu Tichun and others, they had a fateful friendship with Li Laiheng's father, a tiger Li Guo, and naturally regarded Li Laiheng as his own son and nephew.

After meeting the Son of Heaven, they asked Li Laiheng to have a drink together.

On the wine table, Liu Tichun recalled the days of fighting side by side, and said with emotion: "Time flies so fast, ten years have passed in the blink of an eye, and you were still a big child at that time, Little Tiger, and now you are so old." Look at this nose and eyes, it looks like your father! ”

Yuan Zongdi also said: "Who said no, we wouldn't have thought that the little tiger would carry the burden at such a young age." Your father will be pleased in the spirit of heaven. ”

Li Guo is Li Zicheng's nephew, and Li Laiheng is Li Guo's son.

The generals of Kuidong were all the generals of the old Shun army back then, and they were naturally headed by Li Laiheng.

This has nothing to do with Li Laiheng's age and seniority.

"A few uncles laughed, I still have to learn from you. Besides, isn't there still King Li Jin here, His Majesty's Eastern Crusade must still rely on King Li Jin this time, right? ”

Seeing Li Laiheng say this, Yuan Zongdi and Liu Tichun glanced at each other, coughed, and said, "Since you said so, little tiger, uncle, I will nag a few words." To say that King Li Jin is indeed a famous general who is not born in the world, but we are not a bad breed. Because of the relationship between King Chuang, we have suffered a lot of grievances over the years, and we are everywhere with our tails between our legs, why? Isn't it that you won't be suspicious of the imperial court in the future? ”

Seeing that Yuan Zongdi was talking and leading to the imperial court, Liu Tichun glared at him and said, "Old brother be cautious." ”

Yuan Zongdi waved his hand and said, "It's all my own people here, there's nothing to hide." ”

He paused and said, "Let's open the window and say something bright, that is, little tiger, you don't want to fight yourself, so don't you think about your uncles and brothers?" ”

Li Laiheng sighed and said, "I understand what Uncle Yuan said. Our Kuidong Thirteen seem to be loose, but in fact they are a whole, and they are both prosperous and loss-making. Uncle Yuan wanted me to take this opportunity of His Majesty's Eastern Crusade to show more, not only to give myself a long face, but also to everyone. ”

Yuan Zongdi nodded with satisfaction.

"It's worthy of being my nephew, it's just sensible. Your Majesty is in urgent need of generals who can fight around you now, and you have to seize the opportunity this time to let Your Majesty understand that there is more than one King Li Jin in the Ming Dynasty. Little Tiger, if you can take this opportunity to become the king, we will not be pressed by the Jin Dynasty all the time. ”

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