Hearing Chongzhen's words, Liu Fan's heart moved. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 infoIn the case of Jiaozhou not losing, serving as the commander-in-chief of Datong is a rare opportunity for Liu Fan to expand his power. Moreover, Shanxi is an important border town, and the people there have been fighting against the Mongols for a long time, and the people are fierce, and with a little training, they can become an invincible army. For Liu Fan, who is now eager to expand his strength, it is really an irresistible temptation.

But considering his own situation now, Liu Fan still didn't dare to accept it, because he had no money. Although Shanxi has many advantages, it has a fatal weakness, that is, it needs to continuously invest large sums of money and food. And now Liu Fan no longer has too much money to support such a huge expenditure.

The soldiers and horses did not move, and the grain and grass went first. Especially for an army like Liu Fan, who did not have a salary from the imperial court, the money and food consumed was too great. After Wu'an, three consecutive major battles in Hanzhong and Jiaozhou base camps have basically consumed the wealth accumulated by Liu Fan. If it weren't for Liu Fan's ingenuity this time, he took the method of auctioning off the share of refined salt and looted more than one million taels of silver, I am afraid that he would not even be able to make up the military expenses for the expedition to Hanzhong. Without money, even if Liu Fan took over as the chief soldier of Datong, he would not have much achievement. And Liu Fan is not as cunning as Hong Chengchou, who has been in the sea for a long time. He has no foundation in Daming, so those civil officials will not bird him, and it is tantamount to a fantasy to rule Xuanda by political skill.

So Liu Fan rejected Chongzhen's suggestion after thinking about it again and again, and explained the reason to Chongzhen. After hearing Liu Fan's explanation, Chongzhen was mixed. From Liu Fan's words, Chongzhen discovered Liu Fan's most fatal shortcoming, with this fatal flaw, Chongzhen did not have to worry about Liu Fan being in trouble and out of his control for a long time. But without Liu Fan in Shanxi, if the Houjin Tartars attack again, Chongzhen really doesn't know how to deal with it.

After hesitating for a while, Chongzhen sighed, "Okay, Jimin's worries are not unreasonable, since Jimin can't get out, then I can only find another way!" ”

Liu Fan nodded bitterly, in the final analysis, his strength is too small, if he has enough financial resources, the position of this Datong general soldier is a good thing for him. But now, because of his lack of strength, he can only watch this piece of fat slip away from his eyes. How could Liu Fan be willing? Suddenly remembering something, Liu Fan couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, have you thought about the candidate for the Datong General Army?" ”

Chongzhen glanced at Liu Fan in surprise and replied, "Not yet, but Zhang Yifeng has prepared a few spare candidates for me, including Lu Zuo Liangyu, Tang Jiuzhou, Li Bei, Deng Xi and others who have made meritorious contributions this time. However, although these people fought bravely, their personalities were unruly and difficult to train, and they were brutal and murderous, which was really embarrassing. How can Jimin have a good candidate in his heart? ”

Liu Fan nodded affirmatively and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, the minister recommended Wang Pu to be the chief soldier of Datong!" ”

"Wang Pu?" Chongzhen glanced at Liu Fan deeply, and said undeniably, "Why did Jimin recommend Wang Pu?" Tell me why."

Liu Fan hesitated and replied, "Your Majesty, the minister and Wang Pu have also worked together for a while, according to the minister's understanding, although Wang Pu is a little slippery, but his loyalty is indisputable. Moreover, Wang Pu's contribution to this expedition was not small, and without his help, the minister would not have been able to win so easily. Secondly, after the baptism of these battles, the Beijing battalion under Wang Pu was stronger than the ordinary officers and soldiers in terms of combat effectiveness, and they were transferred to Shanxi. The most important thing is that the Wang family has been a general for generations, and both the army and the DPRK have some prestige, and after going to Shanxi, they can quickly open up the situation and form combat power! ”

Chongzhen smiled and said meaningfully, "Jimin also said a little less, Wang Pu used to work under you, and there is such an incense love." With the grace of your recommendation, I'm afraid that you will only be the first to look forward to it in the future! ”

Liu Fan looked at Chongzhen calmly and said, "There is indeed such a little factor. As the old saying goes, the virtuous do not avoid relatives. Compared with Zuo Liangyu and others, Chen felt that Wang Pu was the most suitable candidate for the general army of Datong. ”

Chongzhen laughed and said happily, "I'm just joking with you, I know Jimin's thoughts." Since you recommend Wang Pu, then I will depend on you! Let Wang Pu serve as the chief soldier of Datong! ”

Liu Fan arched his hand and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty for your trust!" If nothing else, the minister wants to retire first. ”

Chongzhen said, "It's rare for you and me to see each other, so it's better to stay and have dinner with me!" I still have a lot to ask Jimin! ”

Liu Fan hesitated and said, "But Your Majesty, Gao Yingxiang is still locked up in Niutun Fort, and the minister wants to go back as soon as possible to arrange it, so as not to have too many dreams at night!" ”

Chongzhen stood up, took Liu Fan's hand and said, "Jimin is still afraid that Gao Yingxiang will run away?" Since he is locked up in the barracks, let him be locked up! Jimin must stay today! Well, that's it! Come on, pass the meal! ”

Seeing this, Liu Fan was not easy to insist, and knew that he nodded in agreement. After a simple and even somewhat shabby dinner, Liu Fan returned to Niutunbao overnight. Early the next morning, Liu Fan called Wang Pu and told him about his upcoming appointment as the chief soldier of Datong.

After learning the news that he was about to be promoted to the chief soldier of Datong, Wang Pu was very excited. He bowed to Liu Fan again and again. And patted his chest and promised that he would definitely repay Liu Fan's kindness in the future. Liu Fan was not too happy about this, but said to Wang Pu: "Brother Wang, it seems to be a good thing for you to serve as the chief soldier of Datong this time, but there is a great crisis hidden in it. After this invasion of the Tartars, the Xuanda area itself has been damaged a lot. Moreover, after the Tartars knew the fragility of Xuanda, they would inevitably continue to use this place as a breakthrough to invade the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty in the future. What you have to face is the powerful Houjin cavalry, with your current strength, it may be a curse rather than a blessing! ”

Wang Pu's face turned white when he heard this, he was happy to patronize just now, he didn't think deeply, and when he heard Liu Fan's analysis, he couldn't help but ask in a panic, "What should I do then?" Overseer, you're going to help me! ”

Liu Fan comforted, "Brother Wang, don't worry, since I recommended you to be the chief soldier of Datong, then I will definitely be responsible to the end." Well, how about I take some officers from the Broken Army, and give you 3,000 new soldiers? ”

"Three thousand!?" Wang Pu exclaimed in disbelief and said, "Give me all three thousand?" "After fighting with the Broken Army for so long, Wang Pu knows very well what the combat effectiveness of Liu Fan's three thousand recruits is, saying that he is a recruit, but there is no shortage of hard battles, Carriage Gorge, Fengxian, these soldiers have participated in the whole process. Its combat effectiveness is so strong, Wang Pu has seen it with his own eyes!

Liu Fan nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, it's all for you." Not only that, but I will not take back the equipment of these 3,000 people, and I will give it to you all together! But one thing you should remember is to be kind to them! (To be continued.) )