Chapter 46 Zhao Kang in the eyes of Wang Chengen

Wang Chengen took two little eunuchs and a team of officers and soldiers to take a boat from Baode County, Shanxi Province to Fugu. It was Emperor Chongzhen who personally sent him, and he also wanted to see for himself what kind of virtue and ability this small county commander of Qipin, who was jointly recommended by Yang Sichang and Ding Qirui as the governor of Yansui, was.

As the eunuch who was most loyal to the Ming Dynasty and Emperor Chongzhen, Wang Chengen was also very concerned about the situation in the Ming Dynasty. Seeing that Zhu Youzhen, who was only in his thirties, was already full of gray hair, Wang Chengen always cried secretly, what kind of sin did the Ming Dynasty do, so many disasters and difficulties? Can this Zhao County Commander, who is said to be very young, be able to take on the heavy responsibility of Governor Yansui? Thinking of this, Wang Chengen touched the letter of appointment of the military affairs counselor of the second grade Zuo Yushi and the governor Yansui in his arms with a heavy touch. This time he came to Fugu, Wang Chengen, under the instruction of Emperor Chongzhen, did not inform anyone, and wanted to use this method to secretly investigate the real situation of Fugu County under Zhao Kang's rule.

At this time, it was Wang Pingfan, one of the six garrisons under Zhao Kang, who was stationed here. As a new guard to serve Zhao Kang, Wang Pingfan felt that he needed to prove his ability and loyalty to Zhao Kang with more practical actions, so he was very cautious in his work. Especially after Zhao Kang issued an order a few days ago that all people who want to enter Fugu must be quarantined and observed for half a month and thoroughly disinfected, Wang Pingfan is even more meticulous in implementing it.

Due to the drought, the water level of the Yellow River has dropped, and it will take less than a pillar of incense to reach Fugu from Baode. Everyone surrounded Wang Chengen and got off the boat. What Wang Chengen did not expect was that there were a lot of refugees who crossed the river from Shanxi to Fugu County to make a living, although the number was not as good as that of coming from Yan'an, Qingyang, and Xi'an, but it was definitely quite a lot. After going ashore, he saw that there were too many refugees waiting in line at the city gate to check and quarantine, so he immediately pulled out the embroidered spring knife at his waist and began to forcibly drive away the refugees in front of him.

Wang Chengen didn't stop it, after all, this kind of thing happened too much when he was in the capital, and he became numb when he saw too much. What I never expected was that these people I brought with me today hit a nail under this small Fugu County.

From the moment his subordinates drew their swords, in just a few minutes, a group of soldiers rushed out from the city gate, surrounded Wang Chengen and his party, and the dense and shiny stainless steel spears frightened several people to hurriedly put their weapons, and a man who looked like an officer on a black horse stepped forward and shouted loudly: "Who are you, dare to spread wild in the city of Fugu County?" ”

Seeing that the little eunuch beside him was about to reveal his identity, Wang Chengen hurriedly stopped him and replied: "We are businessmen from Shanxi, and we heard that Fugu County is developing well now, so we came to see if there are any business opportunities." ”

The officer said: "This is under the rule of Lord Zhao Kangzhao, everyone must abide by the laws, etiquette and morality of the Ming Dynasty, and if they want to enter the city, whether they are officials and gentry, ordinary people, or refugees, they will line up in the order of first come, first served, and they will be punished for fifteen days of labor in the coal mountain if they fight privately." Liang Er and the others are newcomers, forget it this time, quickly put away the weapons and line up obediently, and if you commit it again next time, you will take it all. After saying that, he turned and walked away.

After seeing the officers leave, the soldiers who surrounded the group also trotted back to the city in a neat queue.

Wang Chengen couldn't help but praise in his heart: Looking at a corner and knowing the whole picture, this Zhao Kang seems to be indeed talented.

The next group of people learned to be obedient, lined up honestly, and walked to the city gate after about half an hour, but they were stopped and led by several people wearing strange clothes (epidemic prevention isolation suits) to a row of simple shanties by the city gate, and they were not allowed to enter the city.

Wang Chengen asked a staff member with some doubts: "Why did you arrange for us to stay here and not let us enter the city?" ”

The staff replied: "This is an order issued by Lord Zhao, due to the outbreak of plague in Shanxi and Shaanxi, all people who want to enter Fugu County, regardless of soldiers, farmers, industrialists, and merchants, must be quarantined and observed for half a month, and only after confirming that they are not infected are allowed to enter the city." Don't talk about you, even if the Governor of the Three Sides, Ding Qirui Ding, comes, you have to observe for half a month before you speak. But don't worry, this half month's ration will be provided by our Fugu County Ya, of course, there is only porridge and pickles, if you want to eat good, then you have to eat what you brought. ”

Wang Chengen said: "If you do this, you are not afraid that you will miss the military aircraft and fail to do it?" ”

The staff said: "Your Excellency has an order, in case of a major military incident, you can report to the guards at each pass, and Lord Zhao will come out to meet you in person." ”

Wang Chengen was also afraid that the time would be delayed for too long and that he would miss a major event, so he said to the staff: "Then I really have a major military aircraft to meet you Lord Zhao, please go and report to your boss, just say that the eunuch Wang Chengen is going to your Fugu County to issue a holy decree!" ”

"What? Holy Decree?? The staff was obviously taken aback, and after reacting, they hurriedly said: "Wait a few adults, I'll go and report it immediately." ”

The staff didn't go long before the officer who had stopped Wang Chengen and his party from driving out the refugees just now came to Wang Chengen and asked respectfully: "May I ask a few adults, you really came to Fugu County to issue the holy decree?" ”

Wang Chengen took out the waist card and handed it to the other party. After the officer inspected, he immediately knelt down and said: "The sixth guard of the Fugu County People's Regiment at the end of the general, Wang Pingfan, pays a visit to the prince!" Please wait a moment, I will report to Lord Zhao immediately, but due to the current rampant plague, for the sake of the safety of all the people of Li in the entire Fugu County, I still have to aggravate everyone to stay here for a while, and I hope that the prince will not blame! ”

After Wang Pingfan went out, he immediately went to the county government to report to Zhao Kang, and Zhao Kang was also frightened by the news. Wang Chengen! This is Emperor Chongzhen's most trusted eunuch, there is no one, I heard that he finally accompanied Emperor Chongzhen to hang on the crooked neck tree in the coal mountain, what is he doing here? And I didn't receive any news at all.

Thinking about it, Zhao Kang hurriedly put on his crown, called Yu Wanxiong and Zhang Jun, and went to the city gate to greet each other under the escort of Li Sheng and the police. Under the leadership of Wang Pingfan, the group came to Wang Chengen, and they all knelt on the ground, and Zhao Kang said loudly: "Zhao Kang of the Xiaguan Mansion Gu County orders Zhao Kang to welcome the prince." If you miss the distance, I hope that my father-in-law will forgive my sins! ”

Wang Chengen waved his hand and said in the throat of the male duck: "No courtesy!" Excuse me! Lord Zhao, you are not very old, but your face is really big, our old bones have been waiting for you at the gate of Fugu County for half an hour. ”