Cao Wenzhao was silent, and deep down, Cao Wenzhao still loved the cavalry of the 5,000 Liang Army very much. Cao Wenzhao was originally a cavalryman, and he was especially fond of the feeling of riding on horseback. After the Liaodong cavalry brought was completely damaged, Cao Wenzhao suddenly mastered such an elite cavalry team, although the time to lead the troops was only a short month, but Cao Wenzhao seemed to have returned to the previous time in Liaodong, the pleasant feeling of fighting on horseback.

If Cao Wenzhao wants to give up the cavalry in his hands again, and go to Shanxi alone, Cao Wenzhao is really reluctant.

However, Hong Chengchou was not right at all, based on Cao Wenzhao's understanding of Xu Liang, it was impossible for Xu Liang to let the cavalry battalion go to Shanxi with him.

Cao Wenzhao sighed regretfully, and said to Hong Chengchou: "Your Excellency, although Cao is now the commander of the cavalry, you are right, if I leave Shaanxi to serve in Shanxi, it is impossible for the governor to let me take the cavalry." Cao now has no soldiers under him, and there is really no other way to think of except to go to work alone. ”

Hong Chengchou smiled faintly, and then said faintly: "General Cao, if you want Xu Liang to open his mouth and let the cavalry battalion leave, there is no good way for this governor. However, the governor had a plan so that General Cao would not lose control of the Liang cavalry battalion even after he went to Shanxi. ”

Cao Wenzhao's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this, and he said respectfully to Hong Chengchou: "Is there such a good way? Please teach me, Lord Governor. ”

Hong Chengchou took a sip of tea, closed his eyes and tasted it slowly, then opened his eyes in Cao Wenzhao's expectant gaze, smiled smugly, and said: "If you want not to lose control of the cavalry battalion, and General Cao himself is not in Shaanxi, then." Only by promoting a close general in the cavalry battalion as soon as possible, so that after General Cao leaves, the cavalry battalion will still be led by the general's cronies, in this case, what difference does it make between General Cao himself being there and not being there? ”

Cao Wenzhao nodded slowly when he heard this. After thinking about it, he hesitated and said: "It's just that this candidate is not easy to find, not only can I trust it, but also the governor can also see it." ”

Hong Chengchou smiled proudly, leaned closer, and said strangely: "General Cao, isn't this a ready-made candidate right now?" ”

"Oh? ...... is the Governor referring to? Cao Wenzhao asked in surprise.

Hong Chengchou chuckled lightly and said, "When the governor was far away in Guyuan, I heard that General Cao had a nephew by his side. Named Cao Bianjiao, his parents died when he was a child, and he followed General Cao's side. Not only has he learned a skill, but he is also literate and hyphenated, and he is quite courageous. Isn't this the most suitable person at the moment? ”

Cao Wenzhao thought about it, thought of Cao Bianjiao himself, and couldn't help but smile. Nodding his head again and again. Although Cao Bianjiao is Cao Wenzhao's nephew, he is not much younger than Cao Wenzhao. I'm twenty-one years old this year. Since the death of Cao Bianjiao's parents ten years ago, Cao Wenzhao has taken Cao Bianjiao with him, taught him carefully, and never left the army to fight.

Now Cao Bianjiao's martial arts are compared to Cao Wenzhao himself, but there is a tendency to be better than blue. Cao Wenzhao thought that if the cavalry battalion of the Liang army could be handed over to Cao Bianjiao after he left. With his kindness to Cao Bianjiao over the years, if Cao Wenzhao needs Cao Bianjiao in the future, Cao Bianjiao will definitely be happy to help.

In this way, it can not only give his nephew Cao Bianjiao a chance to display his talents, but also add an officialdom boost to Cao Wenzhao himself. It's the best of both worlds!

Cao Wenzhao was immediately moved, looked at Hong Chengchou and said gratefully: "The words of the Governor are really a word to wake up the dreamer." Cao went back and thought about it carefully, and found an opportunity to recommend the child to the governor. ”

Seeing this, Hong Chengchou nodded with satisfaction, and reminded with a smile: "Of course, it is a good thing that General Cao can make up his mind, but this matter cannot be delayed, and we have to seize time." According to the Governor's estimates, the official document on the transfer of the general will be available by the spring of the following year at the latest. Cao Bianjiao took the position early, so he had time to learn and adapt. ”

Cao Wenzhao was stunned when he heard this, and said to Hong Chengchou gratefully: "Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency. ”

After the celebration ceremony held by the Shaanxi Governor's Yamen, in accordance with Xu Liang's instructions, the Governor Yamen presented a large amount of gifts to the prefects and guerrillas from all over Shaanxi who came to participate in the celebration, so that the officials who came to participate in the celebration came and returned with great joy.

On this day, Shaanxi Provincial Counselor Wang Qinian and the Taxation Department raised Luo Baiguan to report to Xu Liang at the governor's yamen on the preparations for the New Year's gift for Chongzhen's fifth year.

Xu Liang looked at a list of gifts brewed by Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan in his hand, nodded, and said: "There is still half a month before the New Year, Chongzhen four years a year, we Shaanxi whether it is civil affairs, armaments, or urban defense construction, have made good progress, the new tax law in the whole Shaanxi has also been smoothly popularized, although several remote prefectures and counties pay not much tax silver, but like Xi'an, Hanzhong, Pingliang three prefectures, grain and taxes can be said to be a bumper harvest." In addition, Wu Side, Chen Yu, Wang Dazhuang and others also gained more than 100,000 taels of silver in the trade of Turpan in a year. Not to mention the money looted from the surrendered civilian army. It can be said that we are not short of money in Shaanxi now! ”

Xu Liang said confidently, Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan both nodded in agreement.

Xu Liang said with a smile: "Let's make money, and we can't let the people who follow us suffer." There are blessings to share, and there are difficulties to share. In this way, the gifts will be doubled on the basis of the draft! ”

When Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan heard this, they both laughed. Luo Baiguan said: "Before I came to see the adult, my subordinates told Lord Wang that the adult must double the gift list when he sees it." Look, sure enough! ”

Wang Qinian chuckled, then pointed to Cao Wenzhao's name on the list, and asked Xu Liang: "My lord, about Cao Wenzhao, the deputy commander-in-chief of Shaanxi, since he has only been in our Liang army for a month, will he also give him double gifts?" ”

Xu Liang waved his hand and smiled: "Of course, as long as people who sincerely belong to us, they will be treated equally." Speaking of Cao Wenzhao, Xu Liang suddenly remembered that since the celebration ended, he hadn't seen Cao Wenzhao for a few days, so he asked, "I haven't seen General Cao for some days." ”

Wang Qinian said: "Adults still don't know? I heard that General Cao was infected with the wind cold and fell ill. ”

"Oh?" Xu Liang was surprised and asked with concern, "Is General Cao's illness serious?" ”

Wang Qinian thought about it, then hesitated and said: "I heard that it is a bit serious, according to the report of Tsing Yiwei, General Cao has not led a cavalry battalion for training for four or five days. ”

Xu Liang sighed. I thought I'd take the time to take a look.

As a result, before Xu Liang could spare time, Cao Wenzhao personally came to the governor's yamen.

Xu Liang had to report to Cao Wenzhao to ask for a meeting, so he came out of the inner courtyard, and when he saw Cao Wenzhao at first glance, he couldn't help but be taken aback. I saw Cao Wenzhao's face turned blue. Mentally listless, coughing for a while after walking two steps, sucking on a blocked nose from time to time, and I don't know how many padded bags are on my body, which looks bloated and dangerous.

Xu Liang hurriedly welcomed Cao Wenzhao into the living room and beckoned his subordinates to hurry up and serve hot tea.

"Two days ago, I heard Wang Qinian say that General Cao was sick, and the official still wanted to find time to visit the general." Xu Liang said with concern: "I didn't expect that the general would come here in person, and he was so sick!" ”

"Ahem." Cao Wenzhao waved his hand ashamedly and said, "Let the governor laugh." At first, the general thought it was a small problem, but he didn't care, but he didn't want to delay it for a few days, and the disease became more and more serious. ”

"Have you seen the doctor?" Xu Liang asked.

Cao Wenzhao said: "After reading it, the doctor gave Zhang Fangzi, but he also said that there was no major problem, just let the general pay attention to rest." ”

Xu Liang said: "Then General Cao don't work hard, it's important to recuperate." ”

Cao Wenzhao listened. With a grateful look on his face, he then said to Xu Liang with a guilty face: "Actually, I will see you in the future." In addition to reporting the general's illness to the adults, they also had to report the matter of the cavalry battalion to the adults. Alas, since the last general fell ill, the cavalry battalion had been training for several days. ”

Xu Liang hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Alas, General Cao, you are sick like this." There is no need to worry about the cavalry battalion. I'll send the Iron Head to the cavalry camp for a few days. ”

Cao Wenzhao listened, waved his hand and said: "Lord Governor, Admiral Tie also has the affairs of the Patrol Division and the Tsing Yi Guard, and if you add the affairs of the cavalry battalion, Admiral Tie will probably not be busy." ”

Xu Liang listened to this. His eyebrows moved, he looked at Cao Wenzhao and asked, "Then according to General Cao's opinion, what should I do?" ”

When Cao Wenzhao heard this, his face was slightly red, and he coughed several times in a row before he arched his hand to Xu Liang and said: "Lord Governor, I don't know when I will be able to get better in this condition." However, the training of the cavalry battalion could not be put on hold. In the past few days, the last general has been lying on the hospital bed, thinking about it, and really thinking of a way. ”

"General Cao, you might as well talk about it." Xu Liang slowly sat on the tiger skin Taishi chair, looked at Cao Wenzhao, nodded slightly, and said.

When Cao Wenzhao saw Xu Liang's expression, his face was a little unnatural, and he coughed lightly twice, and said to Xu Liang: "The training of the cavalry battalion cannot be delayed, and the body of the last general is like this." I think the only way to ask the Governor to appoint an adjutant general of the cavalry battalion as soon as possible, to temporarily take the post of the last general while the last general is recuperating, and to lead the cavalry battalion to carry out training. ”

Xu Liang looked at Cao Wenzhao and nodded slowly: "This is also a good way." As for the deputy general, does General Cao have a candidate in mind? ”

Cao Wenzhao paused, sat up straight, and arched his hand: "Lord Governor, the last general will not avoid relatives!" The nephew of the last general, Cao Bianjiao, is twenty-one years old this year, and has been following the last general since he was twelve years old. The last general recommended Cao Bianjiao to the governor as the deputy general of the cavalry battalion. ”

Xu Liang stared at Cao Wenzhao calmly, and said in a deep voice: "Cao Bianjiao? ”

For this Cao Wenzhao's own nephew, Cao Bianjiao, Xu Liang is of course very clear, Xu Liang admires Cao Wenzhao, and naturally he will not know Cao Wenzhao's nephew Cao Bianjiao. It can even be said that Tsing Yiwei has been secretly paying attention to Cao Bianjiao for a long time. As Cao Wenzhao said, Xu Liang also admired Cao Bianjiao himself. This young man is outstanding in martial arts, and he is a master of art and bold. Compared with Cao Wenzhao, what Cao Bianjiao lacked was only combat experience.

Xu Liang was groaning, Cao Wenzhao couldn't help but look nervous, looked at Xu Liang eagerly, and arched his hand: "The governor may not know my nephew very well, why don't I bring him over and give the governor a review?" ”

Xu Liang sighed and said with a smile: "That's not necessary." General Cao's vision, this official can still be trusted. Moreover, Cao Bianjiao is a person who has also heard of it a little, and he is indeed a rare young talent. ”

"That'...... Does the governor think that it is appropriate for Chang Jiao to serve as the deputy general of the cavalry battalion? Cao Wenzhao asked nervously.

Xu Liang glanced at Cao Wenzhao with a little meaning, and said with a smile: "Young man, you should bring it out more to experience and experience." In this way, the position of deputy general of the cavalry battalion will be decided after the officer has thought it through. ”

Cao Wenzhao listened to it, and couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in his eyes. Seeing this, Xu Liang changed his words and said: "However, at the moment, during General Cao's recuperation, the training of the cavalry battalion can be represented by Cao Bianjiao. ”

When Cao Wenzhao heard this, he couldn't help but feel a little relieved. Seeing that Xu Liang had made up his mind, he exchanged a few words of greeting, thanked him, and said goodbye.

Xu Liangmu sent Cao Wenzhao away while coughing, narrowed his eyes, and pondered.

Cao Wenzhao left the governor's yamen and returned to his residence in Chang'an City. Cao Bianjiao, who was practicing marksmanship in the courtyard, followed into the house, and after Cao Wenzhao sat down, Cao Bianjiao asked eagerly: "Uncle, how is it?" Did Lord Xu agree? ”

Cao Wenzhao shook his head, looked at Cao Bianjiao's disappointed look, and said, "You are still young, and you want to be promoted to the deputy general of the cavalry battalion all of a sudden, how can it be so easy." ”

Cao Bianjiao said dejectedly: "Uncle and nephew also know that it is not so easy to be the deputy general of the cavalry battalion. Shaanxi Governor Xu Liang is such a shrewd person, our little bit of careful thinking, it is estimated that Lord Xu has already understood. It's bitter uncle, and you've suffered for so many days. ”

Cao Wenzhao listened, his heart warmed slightly, looked at Cao Bianjiao, and said with a smile: "You kid is not in a hurry to be disappointed, although the governor did not immediately agree to mention you as a deputy general, but he has already allowed you to lead the cavalry battalion to train while your uncle is recuperating." ”

When Cao Bianjiao heard this, his eyes lit up again, and he exclaimed excitedly: "So, I still have hope?" ”

Cao Wenzhao nodded slowly.

Cao Bianjiao jumped and jumped in surprise, and said happily: "It seems that my uncle's hardship has not been in vain. With that, Cao Bianjiao turned around and ran outside the door.

Cao Wenzhao asked in surprise, "What are you going to do?" ”

Cao Bianjiao said as he walked: "My nephew will go and fetch a bucket of cold water and bathe my uncle." ”

When Cao Wenzhao heard this, his face turned dark, and he stomped his feet and scolded: "Bastard boy! You really want to freeze your uncle to death, don't you?! After soaking in cold water for four or five days in a row, is it really that my uncle's body is beaten with iron? Ahem......" Cao Wenzhao scolded, and kept coughing.

When Cao Bianjiao heard this, he stood at the door, watching Cao Wenzhao cough and feel happy and distressed.

Seeing this, Cao Wenzhao jumped to his feet and scolded: "Bastard, why don't you go to the kitchen and bring a bowl of hot ginger soup to your uncle!" I'm cold! ”

When Cao Bianjiao heard this, he ran to the kitchen with a grin and went to serve Cao Wenzhao the boiled ginger soup. (To be continued.) )