"Hmm!" Li Zicheng nodded: "Let the brothers all prepare, before setting off, send a few clever brothers to explore the road in front, before crossing Longshan, the brothers here are all seeds, and they can't lose a single one!" “

When Li Zicheng, who was located in the far west, was busy preparing to return to the east, Liu Cheng, who was in the center of the whirlpool, was also busy with his feet not touching the ground, but unlike what others imagined, he did not use the small wooden box in his hand to bargain with the mysterious person behind the scenes at this time. Liu Cheng had an even more pressing problem to deal with—how to make good on the promise he had made to his new subordinates—to pay the arrears of military salaries.

According to the recounted roster, Liu Chengxin took over a total of more than 800 soldiers, almost all of whom were owed military salaries ranging from one year to three years, and at least 12,000 taels of silver were required according to the average of 15 taels per person, which was an astronomical amount for Liu Cheng at this time, not to mention that he didn't have such a large amount of cash in his pocket at the moment, and even if he had, he couldn't spend it - he paid his own money out of his own pocket to make up for the arrears of the Ming Dynasty officials and soldiers, did he think that the crows of the imperial court had not enough to impeach him?

Of course, the vast majority of the soldiers are still very patient, and the vast majority of them have been soldiers for the Emperor of the Zhu family for generations, and they know very well what virtues their superiors have. Liu Cheng can't make up for a few years of arrears at once, after all, who doesn't have a tight schedule? As long as you give a third or a quarter first, and the rest is not allowed to be given slowly. If you don't even have this, then turn a blind eye and let your sergeants find a place to pay their salaries. This situation was common at the time, and He Renlong was a model of this.

But Liu Cheng can't allow this situation to appear in his own army, modern people's sense of discipline and morality is one of the factors, but the more important reason is that this will greatly damage the combat effectiveness of the army, once the soldiers are used to getting income through robbery, then this army is no different from bandits, since it can easily get rich from civilians, who is willing to risk losing their lives to face the fierce barbarians?

Yichuan. The ancient name is Danzhou, the famous Mengmen Mountain is located in the southeast of the county twenty miles, the mountains are continuous, and the Mengmen Mountain of Jizhou on the other side of the Yellow River confronts, the Yellow River flows through here is suddenly narrowed, both banks are steep rock banks, the turbid Yellow River water rushes between the two mountains, hits the rock walls on both banks, and makes a loud sound.

"My lord, this is Meng Menjin. Legend has it that here and the Mengmen Mountain on the opposite bank is connected together, when Dayu controls the water, he incarnates as a bear to dig the rock wall to think that the river channel! Yu He pointed to the surging Yellow River water below and said to Liu Cheng.

Liu Cheng looked at the rushing river below in the direction of Yu He's finger, only to feel dizzy, and hurriedly shifted his gaze: "I heard you say that there is a Jin character here, could it be that this is still a ferry?" “

"Exactly!" Yu He laughed: "In the Spring and Autumn Period, this place belonged to the west of the Jin River, and the Jin people stationed troops with this place, and fought with the Qin soldiers for more than 100 years, until the Qin people took the land west of the Wei River after the Shang Dynasty. The war has just subsided, and since ancient times, it has been the gateway to Guanzhong from Hedong. “

"Hmm." Liu Cheng raised his head and looked west, and the majestic Qin-Jin Grand Canyon seemed to be facing each other. The surging Yellow River runs through it, flows through, and then passes through the fertile Central Plains and rushes into the sea. On the other side of the river is the majestic Shanxi Plateau. It was the backbone of the whole of North China, and in history, many nomads who later came to the Central Plains were based there.

Yu He saw that Liu Cheng was distracted, so he asked in a low voice, "My lord." The mountains and rivers are majestic, what does it mean? “

"Sir said he was smiling!" Liu Cheng said with a smile: "It's just looking at the scenery on the other side, and I think about the ancient feelings for a while, and when you say this, it seems that I have some bad thoughts." “

"My lord laughed." Yu He smiled: "But my lord, after you finished disposing of He Renlong, why did you come to Yichuan so soon?" “

"It's not that there are a few thieves here, my generation has eaten the court's money, so naturally I have to do errands for the court." Liu Cheng climbed on the horseback and replied a little carelessly. But Yu He only smiled slightly, he was recruited by Liu Cheng from Yanzhou, and there were more than forty attachés with him. Most of these people worked in the Pitang Bureau, including bookkeepers, warehouse officials, clerks, and tax collectors, and at this juncture, Liu Cheng summoned this group of people, and his purpose was obviously not as simple as he said. Why didn't he expose Liu Cheng's words, and said with a smile: "My lord, when will you send troops to fight the thief?" “

"What's the hurry, the soldiers are very tired, and they have been short of pay for so long, and they don't know much about the situation here, so if they rush to send troops, wouldn't it be counterproductive if they lose the battle? Don't wave! Liu Cheng whipped the horse's buttocks, causing a neighing from the mount.

"It's naturally good for adults to be so serious." Yu He patted Liu Cheng's ass first, and then asked, "Then I don't know what the adults have to call me and others to come here?" “

"It doesn't matter." Liu Cheng shook the whip and replied: "Maybe you will stay in Yichuan for a while, and you will check how many shops, houses, population, acres of land there are in the county, how much grain is harvested every year, and how many boats pass by at that ferry." The soldiers used it to buy food and salt. ”

"Yes, sir!" Yu He bowed his head respectfully, but a cold light flashed in his eyes.

For Lingquduan of Yichuan County, these days can be said to be extremely difficult. This plump county lord is a happy gourmand on weekdays, known as the big meat does not eat live people, and the small meat does not eat mosquitoes. But since a few bandits broke out in this county, Quduan's good days have come to an end, the three meals are not fragrant, and the whole person is starving and thin. In fact, it is said that it is a thief, but in fact it is just some poor people who can't afford to pay the autumn grain and salary, not to mention the bow and crossbow armor soldiers, I'm afraid there are not even a few steel knives, it is said that it is not a four-zhang high city wall in Yichuan County, but it can't stand the homeless people in the streets and alleys of Yichuan City and the residents who have been hungry and their eyes are green. After all, no matter how high the city wall is, it is also to prevent foreign thieves, if there is chaos in the city, what is the use of the city wall being 100 zhang high? Although Qu Duan has never fought, he still understands that it is okay to bully and bully the small people on weekdays with those three classes of officials, and he can take a fart when it comes to a critical moment.

In the face of this situation, the standard response of the local officials of the Ming Dynasty was to mobilize the local gentry to form a regiment to train the village bravery, and this temporary armed force was quite considerable in the local combat effectiveness of the township, and even not inferior to the Ming official army. But the problem is that the gentry in Yichuan are not fools, they know very well that Shaanxi was already on the verge of the great chaos at that time. At that time, there was a saying: "A small chaos lives in the city, and a big chaos returns to the hometown." That means if it's a small-scale unrest. The landlords and rich people will go to the city to avoid chaos, but if the world is already in chaos, because the city is located in the communication line and the geographical location is important, it is often the focus of contention between the two armies, but it is not as safe as the dangerous cottages in the remote places in the countryside. The gentry of Yichuan have long been hiding in the village, and who will respond to the call of the county commander to defend the county seat with a regimental exercise?

As a county magistrate, Qu Duan couldn't leave the county seat like a gentleman, so he had to take the last move. Send a letter for help to nearby garrisons. In fact, if it weren't for his own head, Qu Duan would have been reluctant to invite the officers and soldiers over. After all, as soon as the officers and troops arrived, all kinds of rewards and military expenses were indispensable, and even if these were not counted, the damage caused by the crossing of the army alone would not be able to recover within two or three years.

Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine Qu Duan's conflicted mood when he learned of the arrival of reinforcements, feeling both glad that his life was finally saved, and worried about the troubles he had to face next. However, he still changed into his official robe as quickly as possible and rushed to the north gate to welcome Liu Cheng's arrival.

Outside the North Gate.

"Xiaguan Yichuan County Lingquduan, see Lord Liu!"

"Don't dare!" Liu Cheng hurriedly jumped off the horse. I looked at the fat man in front of me in a seven-grade green robe, a fat creature that was too rare in Shaanxi at the end of the Ming Dynasty, where malnutrition was generally undernourished. Of course, what surprised Liu Cheng was not this, but the special courtesy of the other party to him, although Liu Cheng's official rank was higher than that of the county order. But Daming is a world of civil dignity and military humility, and in the eyes of civil officials, military generals are a group of insatiable contemptible men who need to be on guard at all times. If a certain military general is incorruptible and able to fight, he is a thief with different ambitions, and he must be more vigilant. Don't say that Liu Cheng is nothing more than a guerrilla. Even if he is a general and deputy commander-in-chief, it is not strange that he was ordered by a county to close the gate and block it outside the city as a thief defense. Like this, Liu Cheng was a little unaccustomed to greeting him outside the city gate in person, and he always felt a little uncomfortable.

"Xiaguan has prepared a thin wine to wash the dust for the adults, please!" Qu Duan said a few words of greeting, then stretched out his hand to invite Liu Cheng to enter the city, Liu Cheng hurriedly thanked him a few words, although Qu Duan went into the city. When he walked to the door of the restaurant, Liu Cheng finally found out the reason why he was uncomfortable - Qu Duan was alone to greet him, if it was a normal situation, there should be at least a few local gentlemen around him, what was going on? When Liu Cheng asked casually, Qu Duan's face flashed a wry smile: "Don't be afraid of adult jokes, this Yichuan City is already a dead land, except for me, a county official who can't leave, who else is willing to stay here?" ”

"Why did the county lord say that?"

"Hey, last year's harvest was not good, coupled with Liao's salary, the old and weak are scattered in all directions, and the strong beams gather in the mountains and fields, it seems that it is spring, but there is not much cultivation in the fields, if it is chaotic, this county is not the first to bear the brunt? The gentry each have a cottage to take refuge in, and who will stay in this place. ”

When Liu Cheng heard this, he couldn't help but look at Qu Duan in surprise, he didn't expect that this county official looked like a pig, but he was an understanding person, and it was not difficult to understand his appearance at the city gate. However, the gentry are not in the city, and it is a trouble for their own plans, looking at the embarrassment of the county officials, there is not much money and grain in the warehouse, and if you want to get money and food, you still have to find the gentry. Thinking of this, Liu Cheng patted his chest and said, "Master Qu doesn't need to worry, with me Liu Cheng here, I'll keep you fine!" Please inform the gentlemen of your county, and go home to enjoy peace. ”

"Then thank you, Lord Liu!" Qu Duan's face finally had a little more smile, he waved his hand, and the two officials on the side came up with a tray, Qu Duan arched his hand, and said with a smile: "Here are three hundred taels of silver, which is a little bit of meaning for the county's fathers and elders, thank you for your contribution to protecting the territory and the people!" ”

"This-" Liu Cheng hesitated, if according to the unspoken rules at that time, Liu Cheng accepted this money, he would have a certain responsibility to restrain his soldiers, and it would be okay to steal a chicken and touch a dog, if he killed his life and robbed the house, he would have to insert arrows into the camp and even cut off his head to show the public. But it's only three hundred taels of silver, even if Liu Cheng doesn't take out all the money himself, it's not enough to give his subordinates a month's salary. Should you accept the money and turn your face and deny it, or should you just drive the horse at the beginning? Liu Cheng couldn't help but hesitate.

Seeing Liu Cheng's appearance, Qu Duan thought that the other party was too little (but he guessed correctly), so he waved his hand, and a servant came up with a tray, he uncovered the cloth covering it, and visited a pair of heads and faces (a complete set of jewelry for women at that time) below. Qu Duan said with a smile: "Just a face, give it to Mrs. Zun, please smile!" ”

"Lord Xianzun smiled, he hasn't married a wife yet!" Liu Cheng smiled bitterly, at this time he had already made up his mind to have a good talk with this county magistrate, the reason is very simple, this county magistrate seems to be a smart person, and the best way to treat a smart person is not to try to coax the other party, but to analyze the interests and stakes clearly, and invite the other party to cooperate with him.

"You guys step back first, I have a few words to say to Master Qu!" Liu Cheng said to the entourage behind him, seeing Liu Cheng doing this, Qu Duan also signaled his subordinates to put down the tray and exit the house. At this time, only Liu Cheng and Qu Duan were left in the house. Liu Cheng pointed to the tray and said to Qu Duan: "Master Qu, let's tell you the truth, I'm short of money now, but I can't accept your gift money, do you know why?" “

Qu Duan showed a look of surprise on his face: "I don't know, please ask Lord Liu to mention a little bit or two." “

"Because that's too little money." Liu Cheng replied: "Let me tell you the truth, about half of my soldiers were originally He Renlong's, and I was ordered by Yang Zhijun to kill He Renlong and incorporate him into his command, but the imperial court owed them two or three years of wages. You also know that if you owe a salary, this soldier will not be easy to bring, if I accept your gift money, and the soldiers under my command make a mess, but they can't be suppressed, won't I be sorry for my friends? “

After listening to Liu Cheng's words, Qu Duan's face showed a thoughtful look, and after a while, he asked, "Dare to ask Lord Liu, how much is the arrears?" ”

"That's the number!" Liu Cheng stretched out a finger.

"A thousand taels?"

"No, ten thousand taels!" (To be continued.) )