Chapter 111: Kill Hu Kou Again

The caravan going north is definitely a major event in Yaogang. On this morning, the old and young of the kiln gang basically came to see them off. In front of the caravan was a team of 100 horses led by Yoo Sung-hun. It was Li Wei who was in the back, and he also led a team of 100 horses. The rest of the cavalry was dispatched by Liu Yun in the center and scattered throughout the caravan. Because this caravan has to pull out a long line. The other merchants who followed the caravan also had more than two hundred horses, and three or four hundred men.

Looking at these teams following the Yaogang caravan, Zhang Zhimu said to Yang Jing beside him: "Have you seen those people, your business will not be bad in the future." ”

Yang Jing said: "Thank you Mr. Zhang for giving me such an opportunity. I've got all my people with me, and I'm going to make sure I get all the way this time. ”

Yang Yulin said: "Yang Jing, this is a big deal for us. You have to do your best, and don't get tired. You're just right, and you're too tired from riding, so take a ride and rest for a while. ”

"Sister, don't worry about me. I'm all right. Yang Jing replied.

Li Zhi leaned over and said, "Mr. Zhang, I think if we set up stations along the way, let's change all my dark posts to bright ones." They have been in the local area for a long time and are familiar with the local situation, so they let them directly set up an inn. These people are all human beings, and it is not a big problem to take care of an inn. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "This is the best, and when I return home, I will bring them all back to the kiln and study hard." and so on, unifying thinking and understanding. Let them all understand the business we are going to carry out. And then they were sent back, and they knew what to do and what to do. ”

This time going north, Chen Yufeng and Mr. Ouyang sat in a car with Zhang Zhimu and Yang Yulin. This car Li Yunhe made people change to glass windows. When the caravan outside was dusty, close the windows, and see the situation outside clearly, and the dust could not enter.

Mr. Ouyang's mood is very high, but obviously Mr. Ouyang is a little overworked these days, and he and Chen Yufeng have been sorting out and summarizing the tactics suitable for musket combat day and night. Liu Chenghuang's summary of the battle method of the musketeer cavalry against the cavalry was unanimously affirmed by Chen Yufeng and Mr. Ouyang. They've also been summarizing and sorting it out. Mr. Ouyang's original study class was also postponed again and again. Mr. Ouyang said that if you don't add new things, you don't need to teach that class. This time when they went north, Mr. Ouyang was still in a car with Chen Yufeng, and now the two are very willing to discuss the art of war together.

Yang Yulin annoyed these two enough, she wanted to be with Zhang Zhimu. But it can't be shown. I also have to smile and talk about things with everyone. However, this time when he went north, with a steel spring carriage, Zhang Zhimu suffered a lot less crimes. Chen Yufeng has been in the car for a long time and is not used to it. From time to time, I also got off the car and rode a horse.

When the caravan arrived at the first stop, Zhang Zhimu found Yang Jing and said to him, "Your point cannot be set according to the caravan's daily itinerary, because the caravan is too slow, and the carriage transporting passengers must run." Do you think that five horses can weigh and speed the same as two horses now? ”

Yang Jing also said: "I also told Director Li of the Ministry of Intelligence about this. The speed of a passenger car is at least twice that of a caravan. We will set up one station according to the two stations of the caravan, so that there will be some leeway, and the middle station can arrange lunch. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Yes. Discuss more together. You can think about things in detail. ”

Along the way, Li Jing and Li Zhi were busy with some things. Lu Bingyi's disciples are busy with online affairs. Because when I come back, I have to build roads. So they're all the way. There is also a road repair team that is more tiring along the way. They followed Liu Chenghuang all the way first, and when they encountered a pit, they got out of the car and repaired it. When encountering a small ditch flowing through the road, dig it, remove the cylinder pipe from the car and install it in the ditch, let the water go through the pipe, and flatten the soil on it. This is a common way to deal with small currents of water passing by in previous lives. A larger stream of water can go down two pipes, or even more pipes. Fortunately, this road has been walked many times, and there are a few currents that are probably clear. So the cylinder tube is enough. Thanks to the help of Liu Chenghuang's elite soldiers, the road repair work basically did not affect the caravan's travel speed too much, and on the whole, because the road was repaired, the caravan's speed was faster.

This time, the Yaogang caravan didn't even have any interest in the bandits going to Pandao, and now there are no bandits willing to mess with the Yaogang caravan, and Wild Boar Ridge is an example in front. And the current kiln gang is not the first time to go north, and now no one is messing with it.

When passing by the fork in the road leading to Niutou Mountain, Zhang Zhimu's carriage turned around, and Li Jing's people sealed the intersection. According to the agreement, Yan Xing is waiting here.

Yan Xing first talked about the recent situation in Niutou Mountain.

Now the people of Niutoushan are in good spirits and are full of confidence in the future. The land that can be cultivated at the foot of the mountain has been leveled, the access to coal on the mountain has been widened, and the working surface for coal excavation has been expanded.

After saying this, Yan Xing said with a smile: "It's the women who sent the children away first who miss the children, and know that I want to come over to see you, so they all ask me about the children's situation." ”

Zhang Zhimu was also happy and said: "The children are all fine now. You go back and tell them that maybe they don't even know their children when they see them now. It's not those little mud monkeys anymore. If you let the children go back to Niutou Mountain now, they will all quit. When I first arrived, I watched the children eat, and I was scared, afraid that they would be broken. It's good now. Let them eat more and not dry. Before I came, I held the opening ceremony of the school. Now the kids are in class. ”

Yan Xing said: "Alas, the children no longer have to suffer with us. ”

"Second uncle, do you know what the windows of the children's classrooms are made of?" Yang Yulin interjected and asked. "It's the kind of glass window. Yes, like the one in our carriage, the classrooms are very bright. ”

Yan Xing got into the carriage, looked out through the glass, came out to look in, and then touched the glass with his hand. Can't praise this thing enough. Q: "All the windows in the children's classrooms are made of glass like this?" ”

Yang Yulin said: "That's still fake. ”

"Go back and tell the three masters: When the children start school, the children's grandfather also came to attend the ceremony." Zhang Zhimu said.

Yan Xing laughed and said, "It's really yours, go back and see what the third daughter-in-law says." ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "When there is a chance, we must let them recognize each other." The child will naturally recognize his grandfather. ”

Li Kui, who came down with Yan Xing, said: "Yes, yes, Zhimu, you must help the third child to get this done." In this way, we can let the third child have a treat together. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Okay, I'll take this matter to heart. I've got something better to tell you this time. We're going to build roads. The road from the kiln to the mouth of the killing of Hukou was newly repaired. Then prepare to start a transport company. Yang Jing is in charge of this matter. ”

Then, Yang Yulin told Yan Xing and Li Kui about the transportation company carefully for Zhang Zhimu.

These two people were very happy to hear this.

Zhang Zhimu said: "In this way, your coal can be dried up." When I get back, I'll see if the road is okay, and we'll build some wagons with a little more capacity. In this way, the cost of transportation can be reduced. ”

Chen Yufeng said: "The road from Niutou Mountain to the official road is for you to repair, and if you lack anything, go to the kiln to pull." So that we don't get into trouble. ”

Yan Xing said: "No problem, this paragraph is not long. ”

"Another big problem is that the food of those people in Zhangjiakou must not be let go. I left a hundred musketeers behind in the kiln. You can notify them when you act. What worries me is that if the food is looted and cannot be transported, it will be a pity that it will be burned. Zhang Zhimu said.

"Fan Yongdou of Zhangjiakou sent someone to inquire about the last time he threw food. I told them that it might have been done by a group of people from the green forest from Shaanxi. We, Niutoushan, suffered a big loss from them. I guess they can believe it. As for the food issue you mentioned, we have been thinking about it all the time. Now I found that there was a cave under the cliff not far from there, and it was easy to transport grain down from the mountain. It's just that it takes a lot of effort to get it up. We can transport the grain here and then put it in a cave and hide it. As for the upward transport, we will find a way when the time comes. Yan Xing said.

Zhang Zhimu, Chen Yufeng and others were very happy when they heard this, and Zhang Zhimu said: "This is great. I'll leave that to you. It is estimated that when we arrive at Kill Hukou or Zhangjiakou, their grain should also be shipped. If you rob them again at that time, you will be telling them that the loss of grain has nothing to do with the kiln. ”

Because he had to keep up with the caravan, Zhang Zhimu couldn't delay here for too long, so he waved goodbye to Yan Xing and the others.

Along the way, it is Li Zhi who is the most tired. Everywhere he went, Li Zhi would make an appointment with his informant, and if he needed to set up a station, he would tell him that when he was ready to return, he would follow the caravan back to the kiln for training, which would be simple. Those who need to stay and continue the fight. Li Zhi would give them a lecture on the form and task overnight, and then give them a lecture on cryptographic communication and secret writing methods. So Li Zhi basically sleeps in the car during the day and works hard at night. Several times Zhang Zhimu saw Li Zhi, he persuaded him not to work too hard. Li Zhi always said, "It's okay, I'm in good health." ”

The mighty caravan of Yaogang was dusk when it arrived at Kill Hukou, and the gate of Kill Hukou had already been closed. The caravan set up camp in a clearing outside the city. Because it is difficult to find an inn all at once, arrange all the people to stay. Liu Chenghuang, who played the front station, just chartered a small inn. Zhang Zhimu, Chen Yufeng and others moved in first. Liu Yun is responsible for arranging for people to take care of the camp. Li Jing still followed Zhang Zhimu step by step.

Those who know that the shopkeeper Liu of the Shengchang Grain Store and the shopkeeper Chen of the Xingsheng Grain Store who are welcoming the letter out of the city must arrange a banquet to entertain Zhang Zhimu and others. Zhang Zhimu was really warm, these people also worked hard all the way, and they also wanted to relax and relax, so they came to a restaurant together and prepared a good drink.

Before starting to drink, Zhang Zhimu said: "The two shopkeepers, everyone is an old friend." Tell me something. You two are both engaged in food, this time before you drink, let's talk about how much food you can ask for this time, and we will consider other shops for the rest. ”

When the two shopkeepers heard this, they were very moved. The most scarce thing in these years is food, and whoever can get food will make money. This time, Zhang Zhimu was able to let the two of them report the amount of food first, which really regarded them as friends. So these two also reported a real number. The shopkeeper Liu said: "Xie Zhang's family gave us the opportunity to make money. I discussed it with the shopkeeper Chen. Together, we worked hard to get 1,500 stone of grain. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "Why don't you go in more, I know that this is a big shortage of food." As many as you can sell. ”

Shopkeeper Chen said embarrassedly: "Zhang Dongjia, since you treat us as friends." Then I'll be honest. The two of us had to scrape together a little bit of silver to be able to afford 1,500 stone of grain. It's hard to do a grain business now. Because there is too little food. There is no food to do business. ”

Zhang Zhimu asked: "Then how long will it take for you to sell out of these grains?" ”

The shopkeeper Liu said, "If you make less money, you can directly approve it to our old customers, and it will be done in a few days." As long as we get notice, because our family is far away. ”

"Then you can first collect some more grain, and when you have sold the grain, you can give us the silver." Zhang Zhimu said.

The two of them were so excited that they almost didn't get up and knelt down, and thanked them again and again. Zhang Zhimu said: "If you have a place there, pull over 3,000 stones." Hurry up and wholesale some of the money, and return the money to us as soon as possible, and then you can sell the rest of the grain slowly. ”

The two shopkeepers said, "Our treasury is very large. Then you may bring in the food you have brought. Our granary will be handed over to you. We use as much grain as we need to pull it again. You can take care of the treasury yourself. ”

Lu Chengxiang said: "Then thank you so much to the two shopkeepers." It seems that the more we do business, the better the relationship. You guys have solved big problems for us. In addition to the grain, we found an inn and put down the rest of the goods. ”

"Oops! It's nothing. Zhang Dongjia handed over 3,000 stone of grain to us for sale, and when there was a shortage of grain, it was a big face. Last time we didn't give our business a good price, we will definitely get it back this time. Shopkeeper Liu said.

Zhang Zhimu waved his hand and said, "You two don't have to be too polite. Didn't we become friends last time? You can negotiate the price with Mr. Lu. At the market price. Old friends should be taken care of in the same situation. That's all business now. Start drinking. ”

Because I had already drunk once last time, many people knew how much each other had drunk. These bold people are not polite, and they let go and drink. Fortunately, they didn't persuade Zhang Zhimu to drink, so Zhang Zhimu, Mr. Ouyang, and Yang Yulin could drink it slowly. In fact, Yang Yulin still has a lot of alcohol, if someone can Zhang Zhimu wine, she can block it for him. No one persuaded me to eat and drink slowly.

It was the first time for Mr. Ouyang to come to such a northern place, and he was very interested in everything here. Especially the boldness of the people here, he was even more moved. The urge to drink even made him feel a little scary. People who don't know this place think that everyone here talks like a quarrel. Fortunately, these people saw that Mr. Ouyang was a well-mannered scholar and did not drink with him. Otherwise, Mr. Ouyang would have to be carried back.

The next day, as soon as the city gate was opened, Lu Chengxiang and the others were busy taking over the warehouse, transporting grain to the warehouse, and arranging inns in the city. Zhang Zhimu and Chen Yufeng took Yang Yulin to meet the garrison Wang Shichang.

This Wang Shichang has already had to report that the people from the Huwei Dart Bureau are here again. Wang Shichang knew that Zhang Zhimu had arrived. He also knew that this Zhang Zhimu was already terrible. When he left to kill Hukou and went south, he defeated Li Zicheng's navy; opened up the trade routes between the north and the south; and relieved the siege of Kaifeng. So this Wang Shichang also wanted to see Zhang Zhimu very much. He also knew that as soon as the gate of the city was opened, Zhimu would definitely come to see him. He was waiting for Zhang Zhimu at the yamen.

As soon as Zhang Zhimu and the others arrived, the gate army immediately led Zhang Zhimu and others into the yamen. As soon as Wang Shichang and Zhang Zhimu met, they held hands and talked.

Wang Shichang said: "After parting, I kept hearing from you, both happy for you and worried about you. Tell me about the many things that happened after this parting. ”

Zhang Zhimu told Wang Shichang what happened on the way south. Of course, they can't talk about killing officers and soldiers. There are too many things along the way, how can I say it clearly in a few words. Zhang Zhimu talked about it with relish for a morning, and the two of us were not satisfied with the talk, and the other was still listening to it. At noon, Wang Shichang left Zhang Zhimu and others to have a light meal, and in the afternoon, several people continued to talk. If there is something missing from what Zhang Zhimu said, Chen Yufeng and Yang Yulin will also help to say. Because these two are also participants?

Wait for Zhang Zhimu to finish speaking. Wang Shichang even said that he was happy, he hadn't chatted with someone so happily for a long time. Then Wang Shichang said: "The form of this pass is a little bad, and the Mongolian Tatars see that the Ming Dynasty is in internal and external difficulties. Now it is also ready to move, and there are often cavalry offenses. The opinion of the Imperial Court came from the Commander-in-Chief, and now try not to provoke the Mongols as much as possible. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "If the Mongols want to attack, if you provoke them or not, they will also attack." ”

Wang Shichang said: "Yes. But the court has a will, and we have to respect it. Otherwise, the adults of the court will put the responsibility for the Mongol attack on us. ”

"I'm just very worried about this. So this time I brought my brother two hundred muskets and some ** bow and crossbow mines. Let the adults be in danger. Zhang Zhimu said.

Then Zhang Zhimu introduced the role of these weapons to Wang Shichang.

Wang Shichang said: "It's great to have these weapons. However, if you want the entire northern defense line to be fine, I suggest that you also go to the Datong General Army. Give him all these weapons, he knows best that position is the weakest link, let him use good steel on the blade. My garrison is about to expire, and if you give me the weapon, I won't have time to arrange for the officers and soldiers to use it. It's hard to say what will happen to the garrison later. ”

When Zhang Zhimu heard it, his words were also reasonable. said: "This time we left Kill Hukou and went to Zhangjiakou, just passing by Datong." I'm going to meet the Commander-in-Chief. ”

"Okay, when you leave, I will write a letter to Lord Commander-in-Chief, and with your current reputation, Lord Commander-in-Chief will definitely receive you well. In addition, the Zhangjiakou garrison was appointed with me, and our two families are world friends. I will write you a letter to him, and he will receive you like a friend. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "That's great. But there's one thing I want to tell you. This Zhang Jiakou Fan Yongdou and other merchants privately transported food and intelligence to the Manchus. It's a terrible thing. These issues should have been addressed sooner rather than later. ”

"In this matter, when you see the chief soldier, you must talk to him alone about this when there are no outsiders. I know that Fan Yongdou and those businessmen, their power is very large, and they go in and out of the homes of those high-ranking officials, very casually. However, it involves the safety of the Ming Dynasty. The general army will report to the imperial court, and he will definitely find a way. But it's a matter of strategy. When something like this happens, someone is responsible. So try to solve things without offending people, which will be good for you in business in the future. "Wang Shichang and Zhang Zhimu are really good friends now, and they are all intimate words.

--------

By the way, I recommend "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty", similar to this book, it is also a "technological flow" through the novel, but it takes place in the Southern Song Dynasty, Yashan, Anti-Yuan, Restoration, and the European World War.