With the passage of time, the atmosphere of the New Year is getting stronger and stronger, traditionally speaking, since the twenty-third day of the lunar month, it has begun to enter the Spring Festival period, the twenty-third day of the lunar month, also known as the "small year" is the festival of sacrificing to the god of the stove, every household has to sacrifice to the god of the stove, asking him to say more good words and auspicious words after going to heaven. This ritual of sending the god of the stove is called "sending the stove" or "reciting the stove".

On this day, Liu Fan got up early and got busy with a few girls, offering the statue of the Lord of the Stove, preparing candy, water, beans, straw and other sacrificial supplies, and enjoying a rare and relaxing time.

In the afternoon, Liu Fan convened a meeting of all the officers of the Broken Army and all the incumbent senior personnel under Liu Fan's jurisdiction. It was decided that when the New Year was approaching, welfare would be given to subordinates, and those who worked under Liu Fan could receive half a stone of rice noodles and ten catties of pork, and senior personnel would have additional subsidies.

This year is Liu Fan's second year in Daming, and last year because of Kong Youde's rebellion, Liu Fan had no time to take care of him. It's rare to have time this year, Liu Fan is not stingy, in addition to distributing benefits to his subordinates, he also asked the propaganda team to bring a New Year's goods to the poor people in Jiaozhou, and strive to let them have a good year. Although there are some suspicions of buying people's hearts, Liu Fan feels that it is still necessary to do so, there is a way that "if you are poor, you will be good alone, and if you are good, you will help the world" Since you have the ability, help the people, who are still struggling with food and clothing, can still harvest the hearts of the people, why not?

On the 24th of the lunar month, Liu Fan suddenly received news that Zhu Dadian, the governor of Shandong, arrived in Jiaozhou City and sent someone to inform Liu Fan to go to Jiaozhou City.

Zhu Dadian used to be quite good to Liu Fan, but Liu Fan didn't give this face, and now Jiaozhou is already Liu Fan's jurisdiction, and the original garrison is basically under the supervision of the Broken Army, Liu Fan felt that there would be no problems, so he happily went.

Now Zhu Dadian can be said to be proud of the spring breeze in power, with the last time to pacify Kong Youde's exploits, not only crowned as the right attendant of the military department, but also Chongzhen Taite gave his descendants hereditary brocade clothes hundred households. After a few months of absence, Liu Fan saw Zhu Dadian again in the yamen of the Jiaozhou prefect, and at this time Zhu Dadian was dressed in a scarlet official robe, showing his might.

As soon as they met, Zhu Dadian laughed and said, "I haven't seen you for a few months, Jimin has soared into the sky, achieved the garrison of Jiaozhou, and has thousands of troops in his hands to shock Shandong, which really makes the old man have to be impressed!" ”

Liu Fan smiled: "Master Zhu, don't hold me!" It's rare for adults to arrive in Jiaozhou! As the host, Jimin should do his best to be a landlord, my lord! I have already set up a banquet in Wanghai Tower, and I hope that the adults will enjoy it! ”

"Since Jimin is so gracious, the old man is respectful, it is better to obey his fate! Chuyang, let's go together! Zhu Dadian smiled

In the private room of Wanghailou, the three of them drank until they were half-drunk, and Zhu Dadian opened his mouth and said, "Jimin!" This time I came to Jiaozhou, and you already know the purpose of doing more! Anyway, Jimin has been a little murderous recently! not only killed in Jiaozhou, but also provoked the Yan family! Now the Jiaozhou gentry have filed a complaint with the old man! I can't cover this matter! I can only come to Jiaozhou to ask Jimin! ”

Liu Fan explained with an aggrieved face: "Lord Zhu! Don't blame me for this! My lord! I don't know, the last time I escorted the tax money to the capital, the Jiaozhou salt merchant deliberately leaked my whereabouts, His Majesty was furious when he found out, and ordered me to investigate the matter thoroughly, and I was also ordered to act. And the Yan family was also provoked by me, but he bullied me and I had to fight back! Presumably the adults have also heard of this, His Majesty Yao'er has already given me a marriage in the capital, and the Yan family does not know what to do, so it may not be the Zhang family, forcing him to marry Yan Jizhi. This is not only a slap in my face, but also a slap in the face of His Majesty! How can I spare such a great crime of bullying the king! Do you think that's the reason? After Liu Fan finished speaking, he looked at Zhu Dadian with an indignant face.

Hearing Liu Fan's complaint, Zhu Dadian was also a big head, and in terms of reason, Liu Fan was right, but where is this matter so simple and clear, he had no choice but to persuade, "Although Jimin is acting on orders, it is reasonable to maintain His Majesty's majesty, but this is a bit too much!" Shandong is where the saints are, and the Yan family has a great relationship with the Confucian family, so the people must not act rashly! When the old man tells you about the item, I think it's better to make a big deal a small one! Otherwise, once the Yan family makes trouble, it will not be something that the old man can deal with, and Jimin will also be criticized, I'm afraid that even Your Majesty will not be able to explain it. The relationship between the old man and Jimin is irreversible, and he really can't bear to ruin the future of Jimin because of this incident! Jimin wants to listen to my advice! ”

Seeing Zhu Dadian's heart-to-heart look, Liu Fan couldn't object directly, so he had to deal with it: "My lord, Liu Fan knows it!" Now that the adults have spoken, then I am not hypocritical, I promise the adults that as long as the Yan family no longer provokes me, I will not embarrass them! ”

"Good! I am relieved to have the words of Jimin! Zhu Dadian shouted happily.

Liu Fan looked at Zhu Dadian's old face, and had an idea in his heart, and asked Zhu Dadian, "My lord! Liu Fan has something to ask for, and I hope the adults will agree! ”

Zhu Dadian let go of a matter, he was in a good mood about this matter, and when he heard Liu Fan say this, he smiled and said, "If Jimin has something, just say it!" Don't be polite with me! ”

Liu Fan smiled: "Then I'll say it directly!" My lord, isn't this Your Majesty's permission for me to build my own weapons workshop, there has been a shortage of craftsmen recently, and I would like to ask your lord to help me get some craftsmen! Preferably a craftsman who knows how to make firearms! ”

Zhu Dadian was a little embarrassed, "This ordinary craftsman can say that the craftsmen who can make firearms are treasures everywhere, and most of them are registered by the imperial court." Even I can't move at will! ”

Liu Fan knew that this was a postponement of the rhetoric, so he asked Li Xiaohu to whisper a few words, and then said to Zhu Dadian, "My lord!" I know it's going to be a tough deal, so I'm asking for your help! With your position in Shandong, as long as you say a word, this matter is not simple? Of course, I won't let you help in vain! I Liu Fan has all the costs of this up and down! ”

Zhu Dadian was a little hesitant when he heard this, and refused to speak, at this time Liu Fan took the silver ticket from his hand, handed it to Zhu Dadian and said, "My lord!" This is some of our Jiaozhou "local specialties", you bring them back to Jinan to try them? ”

Zhu Dadian glanced at it, and the silver ticket in Liu Fan's hand suddenly widened, and the thick stack of silver tickets was probably no less than 100,000 taels. Holding back his excitement, Zhu Dadian quietly put the silver ticket into his arms, and said to Liu Fan with a smile, "Alas! Now that Jimin has spoken! I can't shirk either! So be it! Wait for the old man to meet Jinan! How about instructing Jimin to allocate a group of craftsmen? ”

Liu Fan arched his hand and smiled: "Then thank you, sir!" ”