readx;?readx; Chapter 426 is leaving

Sunset, Jiangbei Water City. The warships that have been trained and patrolled by the Pen, Fun, www.biquge.info and Pavilion have returned, and they are neatly lined up on the dockside. A flock of sand gulls soars between the masts, occasionally skimming the glittering waters to nip on one or a few small silver fish.

The river gently laps on the shore, and the sound is soft and regular. In the midst of this wave, a white-haired old man and a heroic young man strolled on the causeway, it was the old marshal Bo Xian Farewell and Qin Lei, the king of Longwei County.

Qin Lei arrived at the camp of the Zhennan Army at noon, and was naturally warmly welcomed by his elder brother. After a feast and drink, Wang Anting and Zhou Baojun were overwhelmed by their strength and were helped back to the tent to rest by their respective entourage, but Qin Lei really kept his oath and did not overdo it. Although Bo Xian's parting was not enjoyable, he thought that Qin Lei was preoccupied, so he did not persuade him to drink again.

After eating and drinking, he left the table, and then took Qin Lei to the river for a walk, and he also had some considerate words to say.

Qin Lei took his hands and paced slowly, and said softly: "Seeing that everything seems to be business as usual in the Zhennan Army, didn't the eldest brother receive an order from the Taiwei Mansion?" ”

Bo Xian was dressed in half-worn civilian clothes, even if he was walking, he still straightened his waist, and said with a smile when he heard the words: "How many years has Li Hun not been to the south?" Do you know what the situation is like on both sides of the enemy? As long as our ship is far away from Shuicheng, there is no return, and I don't know which of his subordinates? Pure blind command! "I haven't seen him for a year, and the old marshal is still complaining.

Qin Lei frowned slightly and said, "How can this be? Wasn't it possible to cruise the inshore last year? ”

Bo Xian said with a smile: "It wasn't that the army was allocated to you to quell the rebellion last year, but the old fox of Zhulie took the opportunity to move the front to the east for a hundred miles, which can be regarded as completely suffocating us in the nest." He couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Qin Lei glanced at the old marshal and said with a faint smile: "It seems that it is the heart of the big brother!" ”

Bo Xian's parting smile froze, and he asked in a lost voice, "How do you know?" I haven't told anyone about it! "It seems that living in a barracks for a long time makes people quite straightforward.

Qin Lei shrugged his shoulders and said, "No one told me, I guessed." ”

"How did you guess?" Marshal Bo Xiang asked repeatedly: "Can you guess, others can too, it seems that I have to take measures quickly." ”

The corners of Qin Lei's mouth turned up slightly, and he said with a smile: "Do you look like a fool?" ”

Although Bo Xian was confused, the matter was very important, and he still said seriously: "It's not like ...... bar. ”

Qin Lei smiled and said, "Isn't this enough?" When someone else blocked the door of the house and can't get out, only a fool can be happy. Saying that, he glanced at the old marshal, and said with a smile: "You are elated, and you think you are not a fool, what does that mean?" ”

The old marshal relieved his heart at this time, and said with a smile: "Brother is really cunning!" ”

Qin Lei shook his head with a smile, and said with a straight face: "Big brother, you give me the bottom, if we start a war with the Chu State now, what are our chances of winning?" ”

Bo Xian said in a deep voice: "I can only guarantee that I will not be beaten to the shore, and the odds of victory are not yet discussed." Feeling that his words were a bit prestigious, the old marshal added: "But give me another year, and the situation will change radically...... By then, the odds will be five-five. ”

"Oh?" Qin Lei said with interest: "As far as I know, it is more difficult for the naval army to improve its combat strength than the cavalry, can it turn things around in a year?" ”

Bo Xian parted and laughed in a low voice: "Our Zhennan Navy is an elite soldier and strong general that I have painstakingly trained for more than ten years, and it is no worse than the old boy of Zhu Lie. The reason why they could not be defeated was only because of the current and the inferiority of the battleship. As long as this weakness can be overcome, the situation on the river will be reversed immediately. ”

"Pulp steamer?" Qin Lei asked softly, "Brother Fei's pulp steamer fleet will be officially installed next year." ”

Bo Xian nodded and smiled: "Three to five ships will be installed, so that the soldiers will take turns to get on the ship to be familiar with the operation of the tactics, but if it is large-scale, it will have to wait until before and after the war starts." Said and blinked: "The secret weapon, if you don't hide it, it's not easy to use." ”

"There is a conspiracy ......" Qin Lei said with a smile, but his curiosity was not strong, and he didn't ask in detail. Because he has got the news he needs...... The Zhennan army could not compete with the Southern Chu naval army. This is really not good news.

It's not that Qin Lei wants to start a war with Nan Chu, but to understand Nan Chu's attitude, he must first understand his own strength. Qin Lei's mind was extremely clear, he knew that the awe in this world came from the strength of the other party, if Nan Chu thought that the Great Qin army was not an opponent, he would not be afraid of the Qin State. If they lose their fear, they will inevitably embarrass their own group unscrupulously, that's for sure.

But this time is different from the past, the blind brutality and violence, in addition to making Nan Chu laugh at the vulgarity of the Qin people, will also add a lot of uncertainty to the errand of rescuing the prince. In serious cases, it can even endanger your own safety.

Qin Lei couldn't help but fall into deep thought, and when he reached the end of the causeway, he stopped, looked fixedly at the blue-black night, and muttered, "A big war is inevitable. ”

Bo Xian was stunned for a moment before nodding and said, "Yes, another big war after eighteen years!" "The battle of the sixteenth year of Zhaowu with heavy thunder and small rain was not put in the eyes of the old marshal at all. Speaking of the imminent outbreak of war, the old marshal smiled and said: "Brother has always been far-sighted, tell me, brother, where will this battle start?" ”

"War will break out from the East!" Qin Lei said in a deep voice: "If it breaks out from the south first, our Great Qin will be in danger." His eyes fixed on the front and he said, word by word: "So it must and can only erupt from the east." ”

Bo Xian nodded with deep feelings: "Yes, if it is to start a war with the Qi State first, the emperor of Southern Chu, who has no ambitions, will most likely not interfere," he said and glanced at the surging river in front of him, and said softly: "The Great River Moat is a tall and strong city wall, which not only protects Southern Chu from invasion, but also consumes their ambitions. ”

Qin Lei smiled and said: "If you fight with Southern Chu first, the Qi State will definitely not let go of this golden opportunity, and eighty percent of it will be attacked with the strength of the whole country." When the time comes, it will be a bad thing to be attacked by the enemy. After speaking, he sighed lightly and said: "But we can think of it, and the 'hundred battles and victories' of the Qi State will naturally also think of it, so if Qin Qi starts a war, he will definitely instigate Southern Chu to go to war first at all costs." It's like ......"

"Just like he did eighteen years ago." Bo Xian nodded slightly with a solemn face, and said in a deep voice: "Zhao Wuyi, this person is really my Great Qin's henchman." ”

Qin Lei shook his head and smiled: "But after all, he is not the Jingtai Emperor of the Chu State, and he is not qualified to force Zhu Lie to do it, so we still have a chance." ”

"It seems that Brother Xian has a clever plan to let Nan Chu stay on hold for the time being?" Marshal Bo Xiang said happily.

Qin Lei smiled apologetically: "It's just a motive, I haven't formed an idea yet, I have to go to Nanchu to take a look and find inspiration." ”

Bo Xian said with a helpless smile: "Then I wish the virtuous brother success." ”

Qin Lei shrugged his shoulders and walked back side by side with the old marshal. At this time, the crescent moon had already risen from the east mountain, revealing a shy smile, pulling the shadows of the two of them long.

"Big brother, can you ask for something?" On the way back to the camp, Qin Lei said softly.

"What's the matter?" Bo Xian looked at Qin Lei vigilantly, and said with a single face: "There are no important people, and there is no money to borrow." "He was already scared by Qin Lei's toss, after selling those officers last time, he could barely have someone to make up for it, but he couldn't afford to toss again.

Qin Lei's face was a little unbearable when he heard this, and he smiled dryly: "Who does my brother think of me?" ”

Although the old marshal is an old fox, he can't always fight the little fox Qin Lei, so he has to be cautious and abnormally said: "Except for borrowing money and asking for people, everything is easy to discuss." ”

"It's a good thing this time, I don't care if you ask for money, I don't ask you for people, but I give you people and money, what do you think?" Qin Lei's eyes were bent into crescent moons, like traffickers who abducted and sold children.

Bo Xian was a little relieved when he parted, but he still didn't dare to be careless, and said tentatively: "Let's hear it?" ”

"That's the case," Qin Lei said unhurriedly: "Now, the twenty-eight prefectures of the two southern provinces only rely on the group training organized by some squires to maintain law and order, who are those group training, do you know?" ”

"Ruffians, hooligans." Although he didn't often go into the city, the old marshal still heard about it.

"So, team training has proven to be undesirable." Qin Lei said with a righteous face: "King Gu learned from the pain and decided to let each prefecture form a local army, these troops must be strictly trained and can shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the family and defending the country." ”

He said helplessly: "There are fifteen or six million people in the two provinces, and it is not difficult to pick out twenty or thirty thousand strong people from them, but how to train them so that they can meet the requirements of protecting their homes and defending the country is even more difficult." ”

The old marshal said suspiciously: "The prince won't let me be an instructor, right?" Before Qin Lei nodded, his big head shook like a rattle: "It's not that I don't want to help you, it's that after selling a batch, there is a shortage of officers." If it is transferred again, it will affect the combat power. ”

Qin Lei smiled and waited for him to finish, then said slowly: "Didn't you say it, don't ask you for someone, but give it to you." ”

"Give me someone?" The old marshal suddenly said, "Do you want them to come to the Zhennan military camp for training?" ”

Qin Lei nodded and said: "Yes, this army will have a triple identity, and they will defend the place and the prefecture in normal times." And if the elder brother is in need here, they will also fully support and cooperate with your military operations. ”

Bo Xian parted and became serious, and asked softly, "What about the third?" "He has already been moved, an important problem that has been plaguing the old marshal is that there is only one Zhennan army in the entire Jiangbei defense line, although the number of 200,000 is a lot, but it is really unable to compete with the 600,000 naval army of Southern Chu, and it is already the result of the old marshal's hard work to maintain the current situation.

Qin Lei's eyes flashed, and he said faintly: "If the Lone King is in need, they will also fight the world with Lonely." "This guy will never give up until he completely squeezes the young man dry, in fact, he is more suitable to be a profiteer.

The old marshal pondered for a long time, staring at Qin Lei with his eyes, and when he saw that his hairs stood on end, he said in a rough voice: "How much do you give?" "The old marshal feels that this work is safe and profitable, is it possible that Qin Lei will always bring two or three hundred thousand people with him? He doesn't have to be so conspicuous if he wants to rebel.

Qin Lei almost threw it off, coughed dryly several times, and then said with a wry smile: "The cultivation fee of 500,000 taels of silver a year, and the right to use the second priority." "The so-called second-priority usufruct means that when I Qin Yutian doesn't use it, you can use it; When I Qin Yutian wants to use it, you can't use it.

"A million taels. Brother Xian gives me a million a year, and I will help you train this group of boys! ”。 Since both parties are willing, the following is the routine bargaining time.

"At most, 600,000, the younger brother also has a big family to eat!" Qin Lei said with sincerity on his face.

The old marshal frowned, and said reluctantly: "At least 900,000, not a single big money!" ”

Qin Lei rubbed his hands and said with pain on his face: "Then 700,000." I really can't take it out if it's more, doesn't the old brother know that the younger brother has already borrowed money everywhere? As if he remembered something, he smiled shyly: "It seems that I haven't cared about my brother borrowing money......

"Eight hundred thousand!" As soon as Bo Xian heard this, he immediately dropped 100,000 yuan strangely, gritted his teeth and said: "The remaining 100,000 yuan a year should be regarded as a loan to the virtuous brother." "Ebeth parted from the character of the man of wealth, and the treasures of gold and silver have always been in and out.

Of course, Qin Lei didn't really want to borrow money from him, and Bo Xian couldn't understand how a person could still have the money to form an army of hundreds of thousands of people after owing 30 million taels of foreign debts? What's more, judging from past experience, this master has never been ambiguous about his army, and it is estimated that the conditions and treatment of the new southern army formed in the future are not as good as the Jingshan army, and the difference will not be too far.

With the old marshal's ignorant head of economic problems, it is impossible to understand the beauty of debt management.

In the end, the two each took a step back and made a deal at a price of 750,000 taels of silver a year. As consideration, the old marshal promised Qin Lei that in the coming days, he would train the new army in the south without discrimination, and strive to make them reach the level of the ordinary army of Qi within a year.

As an aside, the armies of the three kingdoms have their own emphasis, and the Qin state is mainly cavalry, even if there are sufficient pastures in the country, countless war horses are produced, and men can ride horses, the cost of training cavalry is still much higher than that of infantry. Therefore, the land and water army of the Qin State is added together, that is, about 800,000. This number is real, and is obtained by discarding the guards and subtracting the vacancies.

The number of people in the state of Chu was similar to that of the state of Qin: it was also about 800,000, 600,000 Yangtze River sailors, 200,000 Shenjing guards, and there were no other armies worth mentioning. This is not related to the cost of training sailors, the main thing is that there is a moat on the Yangtze River, so there is no need to recruit so many silverfish who spend money on food and clothing.

What is more terrifying is the Qi ** team, except for the ace Baisheng Army, most of the rest of the troops are mainly infantry, the infantry training cost is low, the training cycle is short, and you can pull out hundreds of thousands casually. So even if you ask Zhao Wujiao, he can't answer this question exactly. I could only roughly say: "In normal times, there are more than one million, but when we want to fight, we can raise two million infantry troops in a short time." ”

Therefore, reaching the height of the Eastern Qi army within a year is not a big deal. The old marshal naturally sent his chest to agree.

Qin Lei finally sighed with relief, in the troubled times that are about to come, it is better to have more soldiers in the army and more money and food in his hands, so that his heart can be steady. However, due to the limitation of the establishment, his Jingshan army could not be expanded indefinitely, so he had to use this method of 'serving the country with a curve' to improve his strength.

By the time the two returned to the barracks, it was already late at night. Rejecting the old brother's kindness to sleep on his feet, Qin Lei was just about to turn around and go back to his room to sleep, but he heard the old marshal ask softly, "Is your niece Saiyue okay?" ”

Qin Lei was silent for a while, and finally said honestly: "Li Sihai likes her very much, but the Li family's attitude has always been bad. So ......" paused and said, "I think Saiyue should marry Li Sihai, not marry into the Li family." ”

"Oh? What do you mean by that? The old marshal hurriedly asked, the matter involved his beloved daughter, and he couldn't help but be nervous.

"Li Sihai has set up his own door and went to the east to develop, if he mixes well, he will definitely take Saiyue over," he said and looked at the old marshal's white hair, and said softly: "Children and grandchildren have their own children and grandchildren, please don't stop the old brother......"

After the initial shock, Bo Xian finally nodded helplessly: "My daughter is older, she should have her own choice." Perhaps because of the lack of gathering and separation, he felt very indebted to his daughter, so he let her find happiness on her own.