Emperor Xianfeng hunted Rehe in the north and fully delegated power to the local governors, and the happiest person in Hubei was actually Wang Guocai, the general soldier of Wuchang - because of the decentralization of personnel power, under the recommendation and appointment of Wu Chaoyue, Wang Guo finally filled the coveted position of Hubei Governor. The pen & fun & pavilion www.biquge.info succeeded Wang Guocai as the chief soldier of Wuchang, and it was the strange Bi Jinke in the green battalion.

Hubei happy people are not only Wang Guocai and Bi Jinke, but also countless Wu Chaoyue's accomplices and henchmen have also benefited, many Wu Jun old men with outstanding military achievements took the opportunity to come to the forefront, and took important positions under Wu Chaoyue's promotion, and firmly controlled the supervision and Eyong left by Hua Lao Fox for Wu Chaoyue, and quickly occupied Yunyang and Yichang and other choke points, which greatly guarded the safety of Hubei's hinterland. At the same time, with the support of the secret intelligence provided by Dai Wenjie, several nails planted by the Manchu court in Hubei Province were also quickly marginalized by Wu Chaoyue through various means, so that Wu Chaoyue basically controlled the entire Hubei in a real sense.

In terms of the most critical army, without the constraints of the Manchu court, Wu Chaoyue of course did not hesitate to take over all the armies in Hubei, including the army of about 43,000 people, including Huguang Governor Biao and Hubei Eyong, and immediately embarked on drastic reforms, reorganized the weak and the strong, and also re-armed and trained, and decided to control the number of troops in the province to about 50,000 people that could be financially afforded, and strictly enforced the system so that it would only obey his own orders.

In terms of economy and industry, in addition to speeding up the construction of the southwest financial network of the Hubei Bank, Wu Chaoyue also shamelessly colluded with the Western powers to step up economic aggression against neighboring provinces and dump all kinds of industrial products. In addition to expanding the army and raising troops, the money earned was also heavily invested in the industrial construction of Hubei, expanding the Daye Industrial Base and the textile factory established in Hankou, and establishing China's first match factory in Hankou, gradually establishing and improving the industrial system of Hubei.

At the same time, Wu Chaoyue also attached great importance to the introduction of Western capital and technology, constantly lobbied Western businessmen to invest in Hankou to build various modern factories, promised them tax incentives and administrative support, and helped Western businessmen recruit mainland workers to build sweatshops with low salaries without conscience, so that Western powers could produce industrial products in Hubei nearby and dump them in Asia, so that foreigners could make huge profits and at the same time take the opportunity to get a piece of the pie.

In addition, Wu Chaoyue also used Hubei's customs duties and salt taxes as guarantees to apply for loans from the banks of Western powers such as Britain, France, and the United States, deliberately tying himself to the economic chariot of the Western powers in exchange for the political and economic support of the Western powers for him, and also to lay a foundation for winning the support of the foreign powers when they rose up against the Qing Dynasty in the future. To put it simply, Wu Chaoyue wanted to make the Western powers feel that only by controlling China could they pay them back their money and help them earn more money.

At the same time that Hubei let go of his hands and feet, Wu Chaoyue, of course, did not forget to reach out to Hunan early with the power of the acting governor of Huguang, while unceremoniously letting Feng Sanbao, who was named as the governor of Hunan, actually take the post of governor of Hunan, control the Hunan green camp through Feng Sanbao, and organize the army that Feng Sanbao brought to Hunan from Hubei as Xiangyong alone; On the one hand, he actively co-opted the Hunan army and Chu Yong, and strived to incorporate all the Hunan army and Chu Yong into Xiangyong, and established a military force in Hunan that could ensure control of the whole province.

I don't know that there is a problem in that link, Wu Chaoyue's attempt to incorporate the Hunan army and Chu Yong's move has been discovered by Hunan Governor Chong'en while it is still in progress, and it has also immediately aroused Chong'en's vigilance, although the relationship with Wu Chaoyue has always been good, but as a Manchu and banner man, as well as the current de facto emperor of Hunan, Chong'en of course cannot tolerate being completely overturned by Wu Chaoyue militarily. Therefore, Chong'en was not polite, and immediately used the financial power of Hunan in his hands to start a competition with Wu Chaoyue for the Hunan army and Chu Yong, trying to incorporate the Xiang army and Chu Yong into his own Fubiao, so as to monitor and restrain the Hubei army in Wu Chaoyue's hands.

It stands to reason that Chong'en, as the governor of Hunan, wants to incorporate the local army in Hunan should be much easier and more convenient than Wu Chaoyue, but it is unfortunate for Chong'en that Hunan's finances are too bad compared to Hubei's economy. Although Chongen's idea of planning to absorb the Xiang army and Chu Yong was good, it was almost empty words that he couldn't come up with military salaries to support these Qiu Eight Masters.

Even so, Chong'en still did not give up his efforts, and still wrote two letters to Liu Changyou and Jiang Zhongji, the leaders of Chu Yong, as well as Hu Linyi and Yang Yuebin, the current bosses of the Hunan army, and set a time for them to come to Changsha for a meeting to discuss the reorganization of the Hunan army.

The result is also good, although he can't get the military salary to support the family of Chu Yong of the Hunan army, but because he no longer has to bear the burden of grain, Chongen can at least ensure the ration supply of the Hunan army and Chu Yong, so in order to be able to eat enough food and not be cut off from food, Liu Changyou and Hu Linyi and others still obediently came to Changsha on schedule and met with Chongen in the yamen of the Hunan governor.

"Generals, you also know the current situation, the foreigners entered the capital, the emperor hunted the Rehe Palace in the north, and issued an edict before leaving, so that the provinces of the Qing Dynasty were financially independent, and the governors of the provinces were also allowed to recruit and organize armies to pacify Changmao and resist the invasion of foreigners. As for my Hunan, although a large group of long-haired people has been expelled from the country, there are still many small groups of bandits, and the surrounding Guangxi and Jiangxi are also very unpeaceful, so it can be said that they are in a storm, internal and external troubles. ”

Slowly said the opening remarks, Chongen was not in a hurry, and continued to say in an official tone: "However, in such a critical situation, our army in Hunan has a fatal problem, that is, the army is chaotic, and there are many orders, and the main army in the province has as many as five branches: Green Battalion, Xiang Yong, Xiang Army, Chu Yong and Fu Biao, and there is a lack of unified command. Therefore, this officer has invited you here today to discuss how to unify the reorganization of the army and unify the command and order. ”

In fact, before Chongen finished speaking, Hu Linyi and Liu Changyou already understood that Chongen wanted Hunan Fubiao to absorb them, and they also nodded together and said: "What Lord Futai said is very true, how to act, please show Lord Futai." ”

"This official's idea is this, simply merge the Hunan army, Chu Yong and the official's direct Fubiao into one army and reorganize it." Chong'en finally tried to see the dagger and said: "After the merger of the three armies, the official will be the commander, and the two generals Hu Linyi and Liu Changyou will be the deputy commanders, and the orders and commands will be unified, so that under the condition of ensuring the safety of Hunan Province, Feng Sanbao and Feng Junmen's Xiangyong can rest assured that they can go out of the province to fight and pacify Changmao outside the province." ”

Hu Linyi, Liu Changyou and the others were silent, and they all admired Chong'en's appetite a little, and while they wanted to eat Xiang Jun and Chu Yong in one bite, they even wanted to take the opportunity to drive Feng Sanbao out of Hunan, weaken and get rid of Feng Sanbao's control and influence on the Hunan Green Camp.

"Generals, why don't you speak?" Chongen smiled and asked, "Are you worried that after the Xiang Army and Chu Yong are merged into the official's Fubiao, the official will still treat you badly?" ”

"Lord Futai is serious, who dares to have this thought?" Liu Changyou, the leader of Chu Yong, finally spoke, and said: "It's all for the purpose of killing thieves and quelling the rebellion, of course it's okay for Chu Yong to merge into your Fubiao, but Lord Futai, what about our military salary?" ”

"It's business as usual, of course." Chongen smiled lightly: "Following the routine left by Luo Futai and Zeng Dashuai, Zhengyong's monthly military salary is four taels or two dollars, and the pension is the same as before." ”

"Then Lord Futai, can you guarantee that it will be issued on time every month?" Liu Changyou asked: "Also, can the previous arrears of our military salaries be made up before the army merges?" ”

Chong'en's smile was a little embarrassed, and he said reluctantly: "General Liu is too worried, after the merger of the three armies, of course, your military salary will be paid on time every month." As for the arrears of your military salaries, of course, they will be made up in full, but General Liu, you also know that the money and food situation in Hunan is not very good now, so you have to ask General Liu to give your official a period of grace, and then slowly make up for it. However, this official can guarantee that the arrears of your military salary will never be less than one eldest son, and sooner or later it will be repaid! ”

Liu Changyou was silent again, still muttering and complaining with a stomach, and said secretly: "You treat Lao Tzu as a monkey? After the merger and reorganization of the three armies, Chu Yong is gone, and all the generals only obey your orders, and you will make up the arrears of military salaries when the time comes? Also, after the merger of the three armies, the scale is at least about 25,000 people, and the monthly military salary will cost more than 130,000 taels of silver, you can guarantee that it will be paid on time every month, Lao Tzu is the first to disbelieve it! ”

At this time, Hu Linyi, who was full of sickness, suddenly spoke, coughed and said: "Chongfutai, if you can ensure that the military salary can be paid as usual, of course there is no problem with the merger of the Hunan army into your Fubiao, but the lower officials are courageous, I hope that the Hunan army can continue the existing establishment and still lead the army with the old generals, but of course, the Hunan army only obeys the orders of Yu Chongfutai and you alone, and the lower officials and Houan are the deputies, and you will lead the army to fight for your lordship." ”

"Why don't you mention the arrears of military salaries?"

When Liu Changyou turned his head to look in surprise, he saw Hu Linyi's expression gloomy, his eyes wandered, and he said as if talking to himself: "Lord Futai, don't worry, it's not that the lower officials don't want to hand over the military power, it's that the lower officials really can't bear to let the Hunan army that Zeng Marshal worked so hard to create die in my hands, and he doesn't want those old brothers who have followed the lower officials for many years to complain and complain that I don't think ......about them." ”

Seeing Hu Linyi's dejected appearance, Liu Changyou also vaguely guessed the reason, knowing that Hu Linyi could no longer bear the burden of self-raising funds to supply the Hunan army, and would rather hand over the military power to Chongen than endure any longer, but Hu Linyi didn't want the Hunan army to become a historical term in his hands, and he was afraid that Chongen would take the opportunity to remove and replace the old generals of the Hunan army, so he insisted on putting forward the request to retain the establishment and the old people in the army.

Of course, Liu Changyou also didn't understand one thing, that is, why did Hu Linyi refuse to accept Wu Chaoyue's solicitation and lead the Hunan army to merge into Xiangyong under Feng Sanbao? Although he did not pass the tone in private, Liu Changyou was sure that Wu Chaoyue had definitely written a letter to Hu Linyi, inviting the Hunan army to merge into Xiangyong.

In confusion, Liu Changyou suddenly came to his senses again, and said secretly: "Could it be that Hu Linyi refused to accept Wu Futai's invitation because Wu Futai wanted to revoke the number of the Hunan army and completely reorganize the Hunan army?" ”

Sure enough, when Chong'en smiled and asked Hu Linyi about how much he valued the name of the Hunan Army, Hu Linyi nodded and said weakly: "Don't hide it from Chongfutai, in fact, Feng Sanbao and Feng Junmen also told me about merging the Hunan Army into Xiangyong, and I also put forward these two requests, but Feng Junmen has not given a reply to the subordinate for the time being, so the matter has not been completed." But Lord Futai, if you agree to the request of the lower official now, the lower official will hand over the military power of the Hunan army to you now. ”

Chong'en laughed, nodded decisively, and said: "Okay, since you have said it to this point, then there is no problem, the Hunan army is here, the name remains the same, the old general will not move, and it will be officially established as the second town of Fubiao of the official." ”

Hu Linyi hurriedly got up with Yang Yuebin to thank him, during which Yang Yuebin and Chongen exchanged a few glances, and their expressions were quite proud. As a result, after Liu Changyou, who was very thoughtful, found out about this, he quickly came to his senses and said secretly: "The problem should be Yang Hou'an, I forgot that Hu Linyi is seriously ill, once he falls, Yang Yuebin will definitely be the first person to succeed him." This kid has always been the head of the chicken rather than the queen of the cow, of course, he doesn't want to obey the orders of Feng Junmen, who is still under the command of Wu Futai, he just wants to directly obey the orders of Chongfutai and be the first general under the command of Chongfutai. ”

After successfully incorporating the Hunan army with a number, Chong'en of course smiled and asked Liu Changyou, "General Liu, how is it?" The official also reserved Chu Yong's name for you, and let you lead Chu Yong to become the third town of the official Fubiao? ”

Liu Changyou smiled and replied: "Back to Chongfutai, I'm really sorry, I still have to think about it in the end, and I am also ready to discuss it with the brothers who have lived and died together for many years, and then give you an answer." ”

Of course, Chongen didn't do it, and kept stirring and agitating with words, wanting Liu Changyou to agree to be co-opted by himself on the spot, and Hu Linyi and Yang Yuebin over there also continued to persuade and instigate. However, it is a pity that Liu Changyou is very familiar with current affairs, knowing that there is no way to guarantee military salaries when he defects to Chongen, and he saw with his own eyes the favor that Liu Kunyi and Wang Fu received after defecting to Wu Chaoyue, so he gritted his teeth and refused to let go, but insisted on careful consideration.

In the end, in the case of not moving Liu Changyou and Jiang Zhongji, Chongen and others could only give up helplessly, and Liu Changyou led Jiang Zhongji to leave after saying goodbye and leaving, just after leaving the governor's yamen, he immediately said to Jiang Zhongji: "Go back to Hengzhou immediately to see Feng Junmen, and complete the merger into Xiangyong before our military rations are exhausted." ”

"But Wu Futai hasn't agreed to repay the military salaries owed to us by Hunan?" Jiang Zhongji said with some hesitation.

"Don't worry, I can guarantee that Wu Futai will definitely agree to reissue, at most, there is just no way to make up for it at one time." Liu Changyou replied very confidently: "It doesn't matter if it is reissued in installments, Wu Futai has a letter to his word, and he said that he will definitely reissue it if it will be reissued, and Chongen does not have this credit." ”

Jiang Zhongji hesitated, but nodded and said, "Okay, if you join Wu Futai, at least the military salary and weapons are guaranteed, even if you suffer some grievances temporarily, you will only have a better chance to come forward in the future." ”

At the same time, in the yamen of the governor of Hunan, Chongen was also encouraging Hu Linyi and Yang Yuebin, saying: "Zhensheng, Hou'an, don't worry, this official will definitely not treat you badly." Now that the imperial court has delegated the personnel power of Hunan to me, as long as there is a vacancy in the Hunan Domain and Zhentai, I will immediately let you take over. Hou'an, you first take on the position of the commander-in-chief of the Hunan Naval Division, and when the Hunan Admiral becomes vacant, the official will immediately let you take over. ”

Yang Yuebin kowtowed happily and thanked him, Hu Linyi also nodded and thanked him, and coughed and said in his heart: "The Hunan army must not die in my hands, never!" ”

On the other side, the smile on Chongen's face was also a little reluctant, and he said secretly: "I can't imagine that Chu Yong still hasn't been able to pull it over, just pulling the Xiang army who is seriously injured can have a lot of effect?" It's okay to say that this is not an accident, if something really happens, let alone the Hubei army, even Feng Sanbao's Xiangyong can't restrain it? (To be continued.) )