Unlike the icy north, there is very little snow in Hangzhou. Even if it is already the depths of winter, it only occasionally falls a little bit, embellishing a little different colors for those deep yellow and emerald green. In the north, at this time, as far as the eye can see, it is basically white, and the green smoke coming out of the chimneys falls in the eyes of people, all of which are a different color, but in Hangzhou at this moment, it is still colorful and white, but it has become a rare and different scenery.

Snow here is just a sign that the plum blossoms are developing quickly.

There was no snow, but it was still extremely cold.

The wind of West Lake can blow into people's bones.

Qian Hongzong was wrapped in a thick fox fur, standing on the upper floor outside the building, but the windows were wide open, and the cold wind would occasionally fly up with a few snowflakes and fall on the plush fur, and disappeared in an instant. In his hand, he held a glass of steaming wine, and the aroma of the wine rose with the heat, and was swept away by the wind, but he didn't know where it had gone.

Above the West Lake, three or two small boats glide slowly, the old man who rowed the boat on the coat floated a layer of light white, shook the oar vigorously, controlled the boat to paddle lightly, the guests standing on the bow of the boat, occasionally reached out to grab the branches that stretched far into the lake, shook it vigorously, and there was snow powder falling, and the guests looked up to enjoy the feeling of the snow powder hitting their faces. There are also boats standing still in the lake, some people sit on the bow of the boat, a fishing rod, a fishing basket, catch the fish do not know, but it is quite a lonely boat, fishing alone in the cold river and snow.

The streets are lively and full of fireworks, most of the north is in the cat winter, and in the south, there are still countless people running for life.

Of course, Qian Hongzong doesn't need to think about this, he is the supreme ruler of western Zhejiang, and he is also the richest person in western Zhejiang. It not only has a large area of fertile land, but also is the largest silk controller in western Zhejiang.

He is the master of the land.

The life and death of hundreds of thousands of people in Runzhou, Changzhou, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Huzhou and Muzhou were decided by him with one word. One thought determines life and death, and one thought determines the rise and fall of people.

This feeling made him very comfortable and satisfied.

Wake up and kill human rights, drunk and lying on the knees of beautiful people, nothing more than that.

"Brother Qian, don't enjoy the snow, close the window, don't freeze the beauty!" There was a sound of laughter behind him, Qian Hongzong turned his head with a smile, and some of the thinly dressed maiko in the room who danced with silk strings were already trembling.

"Brother Du is always so pitiful." Laughing and sitting back, a servant had already gone up and closed the window.

The person who Qian Hongzong called Brother Du is Du Xian, the observer of eastern Zhejiang, the two have similar status, usually both cooperation and dirty, and they can sit together harmoniously like this, which is naturally promoted by external reasons.

And this external reason is naturally because of the current turbulent general trend in the world.

The east and west of Zhejiang are blessed with unique nature, not only the land is fertile, but also the water network is vertical and horizontal, and the life of the people is much better than that of other places. Even if there is not enough food, make a bamboo fence and go to the ditch of the small river to pick up and pull, you can always get a day's food, and the cases of starvation to death are still very rare.

Over the years, with the rise of Li Ze in the north, maritime trade has risen again, the silk industry has flourished again, the price has risen again and again, two years ago, the Silk Road was reopened, although the price of silk has not risen again because of Li Ze's forcible suppression, but the sales have risen greatly, even though the vast majority of the heads have been pocketed by people like Qian Hongzong, but the people of Shengdou have also gained some benefits from it, and the days are getting much better day by day.

As long as life can be passed, this class contradiction will naturally be greatly eased.

In the past, Qian Hongzong had an excellent impression of Li Ze.

And this favor was due to the fact that they were extremely far away, and he had made great gains from Li Ze's occupation of the north. Among them, separated by a big beam, the two sides can be said to have only cooperation, no conflict.

Li Ze brought a steady stream of wealth to Qian Hongzong.

But now, he has a deep hatred for Li Ze.

Because the tentacles of Li Ze's forces have not only touched him, but are like an endless dark cloud, covering his head.

Qian Hongzong was willing to do business with Li Ze.

Because Li Ze is very disciplined in doing business, even if Li Ze has suppressed the price of silk in the past two years, this is all on the surface. As long as it is something that has been negotiated, Li Ze will never do that kind of black thing, how much should be done, never withhold, never pull. It is naturally pleasant to do business with such a big guy.

But this does not mean that Qian Hongzong is willing to become Li Ze's subordinate.

Because he is completely different from Li Ze's concept of governance.

Not to mention anything else, Li Ze alone strongly suppressed the clan forces and strictly restricted land annexation, which made Qian Hongzong intolerable. In western Zhejiang, he Qian Hongzong controlled the place by connecting local wealthy clans, he was the largest silk merchant and the largest landlord, under Li Ze's rule, people like him were to be restricted and suppressed.

To be a business partner, to be a subordinate, absolutely not.

But now, Li Ze is asking them to become his subordinates.

This naturally touched the fundamental interests of Qian Hongzong. Li Ze is going to dig up his roots, how can he tolerate it? Naturally, we have to rise up and resist.

In the same situation as him, there is also Du Xian, the observer of eastern Zhejiang, who is the same goal, so that the two of them gathered together today.

"How can you give it to others?" After drinking the wine, Qian Hongzong slammed his wine glass on the table, looked at Du Xian, and said coldly.

"So, isn't Brother Qian going to Yangzhou to see Liu Ruyan?" Du Xian said with a smile.

Qian Hongzong sneered: "You and I, the observers of eastern Zhejiang and western Zhejiang, but the emperor ordered her to guard one side for the Tang Dynasty, she is a female streamer, but she is relying on Li Ze's momentum and became a general, hehe, a female stream is in charge of thousands of troops and horses, it is really a joke." Now she still wants to ride on our heads, and summons us to Yangzhou to meet her with an official document, which is really unbelievable! ”

Du Xian smiled and nodded, saying yes again and again.

In fact, the two of them also knew in their hearts that Liu Ruyan became the general of the right Qianniuwei, even if there was Li Ze's reason, but she herself was not the incompetent person in Qian Hongzong's mouth.

"Zhejiang, east and west, this is one, since Brother Qian has made up his mind, then we naturally want to advance and retreat together." Du Xian said: "But Brother Qian, after making such a decision, I'm afraid we also have to make some other preparations." ”

"Of course." Qian Hongzong nodded and said, "I think Xiang Xun has been in contact with you for a long time, right?" ”

"Not bad." Du Xian nodded and said: "Our silk and other bulk goods used to take the road of the north, if we have a bad relationship with Li Ze, this alone will make us suffer heavy losses, and Xiang Xun has become our only hope." ”

"The east is not bright and the west is bright, if we don't follow the path of his Li Ze, we can still go to Guangzhou and Fujian." Qian Hongzong nodded and said, "Li Ze wants to use this to card us, it's really a dream." ”

"But on top of the military, we still have to make some preparations." Du Xian's face was a little worried: "This time, we will completely turn our faces with the north." ”

"Does she dare to come and beat us?" Qian Hongzong smiled: "Now Cao Bin is in Wuning, Huainan has heavy troops, Liu Ruyan can't protect himself, what can he do with us?" And since we have decided to form an alliance with Xiang Xun, we also have a strong backing. And in the east and west of Zhejiang, there is no anti-Tang, we have always been a staunch supporter of the Tang Dynasty, he Li Ze has always claimed to be the guardian of the Tang Dynasty, and he has moved his sword to us for no reason, so he is not afraid of the world's discussions? Don't forget, Xiang Xun is the ruler of the country. is a character who can compete with him Li Ze. ”

"Xiang Xun's meaning is that he wants to send a team of soldiers and horses into the station."

"I can't promise that!" Qian Hongzong shook his head and said: "On top of the military, we naturally have to expand our army in case of emergency, but we are not short of money, we can buy ordnance from him, but we must not allow his army to set foot on our land, otherwise, how different is he from Li Ze?" We want to be his allies, but we don't want to be his subordinates. ”

"What if you offend him because of this?"

"His eyes are on Hunan now, and he won't move us. will only befriend us and point at us to confront Yangzhou! "Qian Hongzong is confident.

"Since Brother Qian said so, I also have the bottom in my heart." Du Xian picked up the wine glass, the two touched it lightly, looked at each other and smiled.

Whether it is Qian Hongzong or Du Xian, they are inclined to Xiang Xun, naturally because they are similar to Xiang Xun in terms of political ideas, they all rely on the clan and wealthy clans to rule the locality, and in alliance with Xiang Xun, they can maintain their autonomy to the greatest extent, even if the Liang collapses in the future, they can still call for wind and rain above the locality, and in the north, such a political foundation has already been fought in Li Ze, and the power of the central government has been unprecedentedly strengthened.

They see this very clearly. Although it seems that Li Ze's strength is stronger than Xiang Xun's now, if they fall to Li Ze, not only will they not get any benefits, but they will lose more things, so it is better to defect to Xiang Xun and fight Li Ze together, so as to form a political balance and maintain their own vested interests.

After a banquet, the two have reached a basic agreement, from now on, they will no longer provide large quantities of goods to the north, but turn to Fujian and Guangdong, and at the same time, actively expand the armament war, on the basis of taking precautions, but also expand their own strength, for the future with Li Ze, add more bargaining chips.