Han Xiufeng showed his hole cards, and he planned to work with the official document to protect Han Xiufeng as the acting Yichang Mansion, and to exchange Hu Linyi for the second battalion of the Eastern Sichuan Regiment and the firearms regiment, but he didn't know what to say for a while. I didn't promise to inspect the left base of Luxiang tomorrow, nor did I say I wouldn't go, so I just talked about it for a while, serving tea and sending off guests.

Han Xiufeng had just left on his front foot, and Hu Daren and Wang Jiabi, who were anxious to wait for the news here, followed in.

Hearing what Hu Linyi said, the two of them were dumbfounded.

"We haven't handed over the good news yet, and he plans to reward the meritorious soldiers for their meritorious deeds. What do you mean, is it possible that you want to give you a disadvantage? Wang Jiabi muttered.

Hu Daren said worriedly: "Is he rushing ahead of us to give the meritorious team group who has made meritorious service to the thieves and reward them aside, and he is doing this for a reason." The key is that his holy family is so gracious, the emperor will actually allow him to pass on the reward on behalf of the heavens! ”

Thinking of what his friends in Beijing said in the letter, Hu Linyi said helplessly: "He has been vacant and returned to his hometown for nearly two years, and it stands to reason that he should have gone to tea and cooled down a long time ago, but he is still in the emperor's heart, which shows that he's not a protégé of the Son of Heaven." ”

Wang Jiabi muttered: "If you want to say that the protégé of the Son of Heaven, Brother Zhensheng, you and I are the same!" ”

Hu Linyi was not only born as a Jinshi, but also the son-in-law of Tao Shu, the governor of Liangjiang during the Daoguang Dynasty, who had been an official in Beijing for a longer time than before that, and was not really an official Hu Daren before that, and Wang Jiabi, who was directly distributed to the military department to learn to walk, was not comparable to them in terms of vision and connections.

Seeing that Wang Jiabi was not convinced, Hu Linyi couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Brother Xiaofeng, you and I are indeed protégés of the Son of Heaven, but you and I can only be regarded as protégés of the first emperor, not protégés of today." What's more, there are protégés of the Son of Heaven like you and me, I don't know how many there are in the world, even if the first emperor didn't die, I'm afraid there are only a handful of people who can remember their names. ”

Hu Daren thought so: "Filial piety, when Brother Zhensheng was released to Guizhou, the first emperor had not died, and he was still a prince." In addition, he has been busy suppressing bandits and quelling chaos all these years, and he has never had the opportunity to enter Beijing to meet him, and he has never seen Tianyan, and the emperor naturally has never seen Brother Zhensheng. Judging from the Beijing letters that Brother Zhensheng has received in recent years, Han Xiufeng was summoned twice in three days when he was in Beijing, which can be seen from the distance between relatives! ”

Speaking of this, Hu Linyi smiled bitterly again: "It's not just that I haven't seen Tianyan, but I haven't seen the official document either." In the eyes of others, I, Hu Linyi, am an important minister of the Holy Grace, but I am by no means a close minister of the Son of Heaven. ”

Wang Jiabi realized that it was useless to compare his official position with Han Xiufeng, and asked solemnly: "Then what should I do next?" ”

"First send a letter to the official document and give him a reminder, don't be impeached by someone and don't know how it was planted." Hu Linyi thought for a while, and then said, "Brother Lianfang, as you said, Han Xiufeng suddenly made this show for a reason. If it weren't for Li Xubin's fear of being robbed of credit by Han Xiufeng, he would still be drafting a good excerpt here, and everyone would have made a fuss, like Han Xiufeng, who would not have given me this one. ”

Wang Jiabi subconsciously asked: "Brother Zhensheng, are you saying that Han Xiufeng is also involuntarily?" ”

"He is also a leader of soldiers, how can he serve the people if he is not rewarded for his merits, and why should he let the soldiers use their lives?"

Hu Linyi asked rhetorically, and said with a gloomy face: "He wants to explain to his subordinates, but he stumped me like this." If Ming'er doesn't go, once the news of his meritorious deeds and rewards spreads, not only will the battalions of the Hunan army be unstable and morale will be sluggish, but even my Hubei military affairs will let him sit on the 'three-legged' trend! ”

Thinking that although Han Xiufeng's soldiers are not many, not only do they not need Hubei's food and salary, but they can also be folded and played, and they can be listened to by the heavens, and they can have meritorious soldiers who can play and fight thieves, and even be able to send orders and rewards on behalf of the emperor like Qi Shan and Xiang Rong, who have been martyred, Hu Daren realized that if Hu Linyi does not go tomorrow, there will really be an extra "mountain" on the border of Hubei!

And Huguang Governor Guan Wen is not only greedy for life and afraid of death, but also a master who sees the wind and steers the rudder, if he really lets Han Xiufeng temporarily gain a foothold in Hubei and sit big, he will definitely be left and right in order to keep the red top, and the relationship between the governor and the governor will definitely change because of this.

What's more, the Hunan army is not monolithic, if a few more like Jiang Yili, Peng Yulin or Wu Kunxiu emerge, they will definitely not return to Jiangxi or Hunan, and there is a good chance that they will defect to Han Xiufeng.

Hu Daren didn't dare to think about it anymore, and hurriedly said: "Brother Zhensheng, you can't go tomorrow, and you can't let Han Xiufeng really send a decree and reward on behalf of the emperor tomorrow!" ”

"He is neither my Hu Linyi's subordinate officer, nor my Hu Linyi's subordinate official, will he listen to my words?"

"He's not Zeng Guofan, I guess he shouldn't have the heart to compete with you, this time maybe he really came to the aid by order, the reason why he made this fuss, you can't blame him all, you might as well try to appease and appease first."

"How to appease?"

"That's what I thought......"

……

There were a few knives, a few fire sickles, and a dozen pairs of large and small purses, which now finally came in handy.

As soon as Han Xiufeng returned to the "handsome tent" on the left base of Luxiang, he asked Pan Er to turn over the reward given by the emperor last year from the box, think about it, and take out the yellow coat that he had spent more than 100 taels to buy but had never worn, and folded it and put it on a tray covered with flannel.

Liu Shanyang asked with a smile: "Zhixing, I will only use it tomorrow, what are you doing here?" ”

"If you guess correctly, you won't be able to use it tomorrow."

"Not reluctant?"

"Hu Linyi will not let us rush ahead of him to reward meritorious soldiers for meritorious deeds, otherwise the news will spread, how will he explain to nearly Wan Xiangyong." Han Xiufeng smiled, sat down and said, "I bet that he will send someone to talk to us soon, so we have to turn out this yellow coat and these rewards first, so that the people he sent will see if I, Han Xiufeng, are bluffing." ”

"What are you talking about?"

"Talking about this merit, think about it carefully, it's really no wonder I'm like this, my eastern Sichuan regimental training not only helped him relieve his salary, but also brought his own food and salary all the way to help, even if there is no merit, there is hard work. But they actually want to eat alone, not only do they not inform us of such a big event, but they even shout that they can't give us the credit, do they do this? Han Xiufeng snorted coldly, and continued: "Just that they have subordinates, I Han Xiufeng doesn't have any?" Isn't it just a success, they can report it, and I Han Xiufeng can report it too! ”

"Are they worried that we'll be successful?"

"This is natural, if the two good news are different, then the emperor they invited will have to figure it out before they will be gracious."

Liu Shanyang reminded: "Zhixing, in my opinion, you have to think clearly about this matter, if it really makes trouble, it will be troublesome, no matter how you say that he is the governor, there are so many fellow villagers in the same year." If you offend him, he will impeach you. ”

The last thing Han Xiufeng was worried about was impeachment, and he couldn't help laughing: "If he really impeaches me, then he will lose." ”

"What do you mean by that?"

"Because I'm barefoot, he's shoeed. I'm a newcomer, he's a snake on the ground. It's really troublesome that he impeached me, and I impeached him, and the emperor and the princes and ministers in the court will definitely think that he, Hu Linyi, a dignified feudal official, always looks at me Han Xiufeng, a former general secretary with a donation, who is not pleasing to the eye. ”

"What if he will impeach you together with the official text?"

"As far as I know, Guan Wen should not have the courage to do this, even if Guan Wen is persuaded by him to jointly impeach me, there is nothing to worry about. Think about it, what will the governor and the governor think of the joint impeachment of a former general secretary who came to help quell the chaos with the thieves, and who have always opposed the reuse of his Hu Linyi, and what will the emperor think. Han Xiufeng smiled, and said confidently: "Let's put it this way, the imperial court's reuse of him Hu Linyi does not mean that he believes him, although the princes and ministers in the capital do not like me very much, but they will definitely feel that it is better for someone to contain him here than no one to contain him." ”

"So he really can't do anything about you?" Liu Shanyang couldn't help but smile and asked.

"Who made him make a big splash?" Han Xiufeng thought for a while, and then said: "I have to be cautious in my words and deeds in Sichuan, if I don't be careful in everything, I will be impeached by local officials." But this is Hubei, not Sichuan, so there is no need to be obscure. Otherwise, not only will I be sorry for my brother who came with me to suppress the thief thousands of miles away, but I will also be looked down upon by them. ”

As he spoke, there was a sound of footsteps outside.

As soon as Liu Shanyang turned around, he saw Hu Linyi's friends Hu Daren and Yan Shusen standing at the door with a smile accompanied by Chen Zhankui.

Han Xiufeng didn't know them, Liu Shanyang hurriedly introduced, and Pan Er was busy making tea.

Hu Daren and Yan Shusen had long known that Han Xiufeng could be rewarded on behalf of the sky, but they didn't know that Han Xiufeng's holy family would be so grateful that they would wear a yellow coat!

The official document of the governor of Huguang did not have this honor, nor did Hu Linyi, not to mention Li Xubin and Yang Zaifu, who are now complacent about being given the Batulu Yong for their civilian duties. And the one in front of him has long been Baturu, and now even the yellow coat is showing.

Hu Daren said a few words of greeting absentmindedly, and immediately arched his hand: "Lord Han, Daren came to meet on the order of Zhongcheng to discuss the matter of retribution with Lord Han. ”

"Brother Lianfang, Xiufeng has already reported the matter of the victory to Lord Zhongcheng."

"Lord Zhongcheng also mentioned it to Da Ren, saying that it is more appropriate to jointly report after thinking about it, I don't know what Lord Han thinks?"

"No, no, no!"

"Lord Han is really good at laughing, why can't this matter?"

Han Xiufeng greeted the two of them to drink tea, and said with a wry smile: "Xiufeng's official position is low, and he is neither a Hubei official nor a current official, what kind of system is it to report with Lord Zhongcheng!" ”

Hu Daren didn't want Han Xiufeng to play the report alone, so he hurriedly said: "It's okay, it's okay, Lord Zhongcheng said it's okay, and said that after the report is ready, I have to ask you to take a look, saying that not only he and you will co-brand, but also ask the master of Taiwan to play together." ”

"It's not suitable, it's not suitable."

"Lord Han doesn't need to be humble, in fact, Lord Zhongcheng just let Da Ren pass with you, and this matter is decided."

"Yes, Lord Han, this is also a kind of hospitality from Lord Zhongcheng." Yan Shusen lost no time in echoing.

Just when Han Xiufeng was about to refuse politely, Hu Daren arched his hand again: "Then Lord Zhongcheng feels that everything is not right, then it is not good, Lord Han, you are brave and strong to come to help, you can't always be such an official and not an official, a gentleman is not a gentleman, I plan to work with the Lord of Taiwan to protect you acting Jing Yi Shidao, I don't know if the adult is willing to give in." ”

Han Xiufeng didn't expect Hu Linyi to plan to promote him as the acting Taoist, thinking that he had great courage and great effort.

Yan Shusen thought that Han Xiufeng had just arrived and was not familiar with the divisions of various prefectures and counties in Hubei, so he lost no time in saying: "Jingyi Shidao is stationed in Jingzhou, leading Jingzhou, Anlu, De'an, Yichang, and Shinan, and has jurisdiction over 28 prefectures and counties such as Jiangling, Gong'an, Shishou, Jianli, Songzi, Zhijiang, and Yidu!" ”

This is a serious platform, if it had been put aside three years ago, Han Xiufeng would definitely be tempted.

However, it was not three years ago, Han Xiufeng knew very well that he would not be in Hubei for a long time, and shook his head with a smile.

Hu Daren didn't expect that he wouldn't even be moved by this, and couldn't help but say: "Lord Han, most of the prefectures and counties under the jurisdiction of Jingyi Shidao are perfect prefectures and counties!" ”

Han Xiufeng thought to himself, not only did I know that most of them were perfect prefectures and counties, and if I really promised to come down, I could be a peace officer, but I also knew that the reason why your proprietor made such a big deal must be that I was in the way here in Wuchang, and wanted to send me away with this.

Thinking that he had been in Hubei for a short time, he didn't ask for much, so he said bluntly: "Xiufeng guessed some of the intentions of the two." Lord Zhongcheng's kindness, Xiufeng also understood it. Xiufeng is only a shallow learner, and his seniority is not enough, so he can't take on this big responsibility. ”

"That'...... What do you think? Yan Shusen couldn't help but ask.

Han Xiufeng didn't want to go around in circles with them, so he said straight to the point: "The excerpt Xiufeng who reported the victory can be co-named, and Ming'er can also temporarily not pass on the decree to reward the meritorious soldiers who killed the thief, I just want to know when Lord Zhongcheng plans to attack the city, and if I want to attack the city, do you want my Chuandong regiment to practice assisting, if you don't need my Chuandong regiment to help the siege together, then ask the emperor to let the thousand regiments outside return to Sichuandong." ”

What Hu Daren was most afraid of was this, because Hu Linyi had never thought of a strong attack, and the emperor didn't want to wait, so he issued an order to urge him in three days. Now he just repelled the long hair led by Shi Dakai, Wuchang is still in the hands of the long hair led by Wei Jun, how can Hu Linyi open this mouth with the emperor before Wuchang is restored?

Thinking of staying here in the Eastern Sichuan Regiment Training, sooner or later there will be a disagreement with the Hunan army battalions. And in the future, I will take such a big credit for recovering Wuchang, and practice with the Chuandong Regiment with only a thousand people, I am really sorry for all the efforts made before, and I am even more sorry for the nearly 10,000 Hunan army soldiers, Hu Daren asked cautiously: "Lord Han, if the brothers under your command are really homesick, how about Daren Chen ask Lord Zhongcheng to transfer them to the Padang Gang to transfer food and salary?" ”

Transferring to Padang is equivalent to returning to Wushan!

Han Xiufeng didn't want so many fellow villagers to die in Wuchang City, so he muttered: "Garrison Badong, help the fellow transfer grain and salary, and then ask them to return to their hometown when Wuchang is recovered." ”

Hu Daren didn't expect that the good news would have the credit of the Eastern Sichuan regimental training, Han Xiufeng made such a request, thought about it and asked: "Lord Han, what other opinions do you have?" ”

"I don't have it, but I have an idea."

"Your Excellency, please."

Han Xiufeng looked up at Pan Er standing behind them, and said in a deep voice: "Hubei is barren, this battle has been fought for several years, even if the money and grain of the lost prefecture and county are unavoidable, the people of the perfect prefecture and county have long been overwhelmed, and the food and salary here in Wuchang are tight, if Lord Zhongcheng can trust Xiufeng, he will ask the imperial court to set up a donation and transfer branch in Ba County, and give Pan Changsheng, the alternate magistrate, a special committee, and let Changsheng go to Ba County to handle the donation report." ”

The gold bureau, as the name suggests, is to set up cards to draw money.

The Donation and Transit Bureau is not only for the transfer of food, salaries and ordnance, but also for the application of donations, that is, it is specifically responsible for selling officials, bodies, and favors, which is an important source of money needed to maintain the peace of the unrest.

Hu Daren was stunned, and subconsciously asked: "Lord Han, go to other provinces to set up bureaus to apply for donations, as far as I know, there seems to be no precedent for this." ”

"Is there a precedent for setting up a gold bureau and setting up a card to draw a centimeter, no!"

Han Xiufeng smiled, and continued: "And the situation in Ba County is special, there are many Hubei businessmen, and there are many Hubei students living in Ba County, I estimate that as long as you hand over the fold, the emperor should be gracious." ”

Yan Shusen also didn't expect Han Xiu's summit to "hold it high and let it go", and couldn't help asking: "Even if the emperor gives permission, will the main hall of Chuandongdao, Chongqing Mansion and Ba County be unhappy?" ”

"If you go to rob the money, they will naturally not be happy, but as long as the emperor gives permission, what can they say?" Looking at Hu Daren and Yan Shusen's thoughtful looks, Han Xiufeng continued: "The reason why Xiufeng came up with this idea and recommended Changsheng was not to take this opportunity to make money, but to see that Hubei was so tight that he was in arrears for more than two months. ”