"The old man is going back to Liaodong." When Sun Chengzong said this, his tone was somewhat regretful and reluctant.

Xu Liang already knew about Sun Chengzong's official position change, and he didn't pretend to be stupid at the moment, and said: "In the future, the elder can put down the miscellaneous affairs in the capital and concentrate on guarding Liaodong." ”

Sun Chengzong said: "You really know. It seems that the court really can't hide the secret. Then he looked at Xu Liang and asked, "The old man will no longer be the secretary of the military department soon, about our previous agreement?" ”

Xu Liang said: "The things that the elder promised the official have been done, and the official will never break his word." The previous agreement is still in effect. I will send the silver taels to the elder of the pavilion in a lot of money. Lifting the curtain of the carriage with one hand, Xu Liang looked at the scenery on both sides of the official road outside the carriage, and said slowly: "In Jinzhou City, there is a fur merchant named Duolong, who is the Houjin clan. Duolong is the person in charge of my Xu family's business in Liaodong. The silver will be sent by him to the Liaodong Governor's Palace. ”

Sun Chengzong has long been surprised by Xu Liang's many differences from ordinary people. Dolong's identity was no longer enough to cause Sun Chengzong's surprise. Immediately nodded slowly and said, "The old man will leave Beijing tomorrow." ”

Xu Liang arched his hand and said, "I wish the elder Ge a smooth journey." ”

On May 22 of the third year of Chongzhen, Sun Chengzong, a scholar of Wuyingdian University, stepped down as the secretary of the Ministry of War, and supervised Jiliao as a scholar and the prime minister of Liaodong Defense. On the same day, on the Jinluan Hall of the Imperial Palace, the cabinet ministers, the six ministries and nine secretaries gathered together to promote the vacant post of secretary of the military department.

There is only one candidate, Liang Tingdong, the former governor of Zunhua.

There is only one candidate for the military department, Liang Tingdong, Xu Liang, the Guanglu Siqing, felt that Emperor Chongzhen would gather everyone to do court push again, and simply took off his pants and farted. Bring sand to the beach. You are always the Ninety-Five Supreme, and you can get it by direct order.

The procedure for court promotion is also very simple. One of the two little eunuchs was holding a bowl of red beans and a bowl of mung beans, and the other was holding a small vase. walked to the ministers one by one, and those who agreed with Liang Tingdong to serve as the secretary of the military department voted a mung bean, and those who disagreed, they voted a red bean.

In order to silently express Xu Liang's disdain for this kind of court push, Xu Liang threw a red bean without hesitation.

When the results were finally announced, Shoufu Zhou Yanru reached out and took beans, red beans, and mung beans from the small vase.

Yellow silk on a plate. Zhou Shoufu spent a quarter of an hour taking out all the beans of both colors and dividing them. The final result is fifteen mung beans and six red beans. That is, six people voted against.

As a result, Emperor Chongzhen and Zhou Shoufu's faces were not very good-looking. Ministers, you look at me, I look at you, they are all speculating about who was so bold and actually voted against it. This court push, fools can understand it. This is Emperor Chongzhen's iron determination to help Liang Tingdong ascend to the throne, and there are still people who dare to fight against the emperor? !

Xu Liang was also surprised to see this result, he couldn't imagine that in addition to himself, there were people in the same way? Xu Liang looked inquiringly at the faces of several suspicious ministers.

Among them, Xu Liang knew that he was most likely to vote against it. It was Xu Guangqi, a scholar of Dongge University, but when he saw Xu Guangqi, Xu Ge looked at his nose. The nose looks at the heart, just like an old monk entering the meditation. I didn't see what it meant. Xu Liang couldn't help but sigh, this ginger is still old and spicy. In terms of the city government, Xu Ge Lao is much stronger than himself.

The atmosphere in the Jinluan Hall was strange, and the ministers whispered quietly. Emperor Chongzhen's face turned blue, glared at Shoufu Zhou Yanru, and asked, "Lord Shoufu, can this court be regarded as passing?" ”

Zhou Shoufu's face was entangled for a while, he coughed lightly, and arched his hand: "Back to Your Majesty, the number of mung beans is more than half, according to the rules, the courtiers approved Liang Tingdong's promotion to the secretary of the military department." ”

Emperor Chongzhen brushed his sleeves and said, "Then let's draw up the decree!" After that, Emperor Chongzhen got up, didn't look at the ministers, and left.

After another three days, Liang Tingdong, the newly appointed secretary of the Ministry of War, took office in a very low-key manner. When the new official took office, he didn't dare to hold a banquet to celebrate, it is estimated that the process of court promotion was spread by the ministers, Liang Shangshu himself felt quite faceless, and then set up a banquet with great fanfare, where should this old face go?

Liang Shangshu took office, and Sun Yuanhua also left for Denglai, Shandong to be his governor. The four major shareholders of Xishan Coal Mine can no longer get together to drink and chat.

May is the time when the grass grows and the warbler flies, the northwest and northeast of the Ming Dynasty are at war, the smoke of gunpowder is everywhere, the cabinet and the six departments in order to deal with the war on both sides, busy with the anxiety, and Xu Liang, the Guanglu Siqing of the three products, is very bored, this day thinking that Dai Feng and Sima Qiudao and others went to Tongzhou, he has not been to see, so he took Guanglu Temple King Qinian, the two changed into civilian clothes, drove a carriage, and went to Tongzhou.

"My lord, there is Tongzhou City in front!" Wang Qinian, who was driving the car, pointed to a city in front of him and shouted.

Xu Liang poked his head out of the carriage, looked at the city in front of him with a canopy, nodded and said, "After reversing this way, I finally arrived." Next time, I have to change the special carriage of the official to come. ”

Wang Qinian smiled and said, "My lord, didn't you say that your carriage entering and leaving the city gate is too dazzling?" ”

Xu Liang said: "That's better than breaking up the bone frame." ”

While the two were talking, the carriage rushed to the edge of the city gate, and the sergeant guarding the city gate saw the carriage and couldn't help but glance at Xu Liang and Wang Qinian on the carriage.

"Yes...... Lord Xu? The sergeant was obviously a member of the Liang army, and recognized Xu Liang at a glance, and immediately knelt down on one knee in surprise and joy, and said, "Bid down to meet Lord Xu." ”

Xu Liang nodded and asked, "Hurry up, are you Chief Dai in the city?" ”

The sergeant got up and said happily: "Yes, General Soldier Dai has just returned to the General Soldier's Mansion after patrolling the city." Master Xu, mark it to show you the way. With that, he stepped forward and pulled the reins of the horses and went to the General Soldier's Mansion in Tongzhou City.

Xu Liang and Wang Qinian looked all the way in the carriage, and saw that the city of Tongzhou was in order, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment, so they couldn't help nodding secretly.

After walking through two streets, the carriage stopped in front of the newly renovated General Soldier's Palace. Soon after Xu Liang and Wang Qinian got off the carriage, Dai Feng, the general of Tongzhou, and Sima Qiudao, the general of Tongzhou, led seven or eight generals out of the house.

A group of brightly clad generals knelt down in front of Xu Liang and said loudly: "The last general is waiting to welcome your lord!" ”

Xu Liangle took two steps forward and helped Dai Feng up. He beckoned to the other generals and said, "Generals, please get up quickly." ”

Dai Feng smiled kindly: "When you come to Tongzhou, you should inform us first." I'll send a convoy to pick you up. ”

Xu Liang shook his head and smiled: "How dare you bother General Dai!" Today, the official has nothing to do, and he has a temporary intention. So he came to see Liang Jun's brothers. ”

Laughing, a group of generals hugged Xu Liang into the General Army's Mansion. Entering the hall, Dai Feng wanted to invite Xu Liang to sit on the main seat, Xu Liang shook his head and said: "This place is the Tongzhou General Military Mansion, and you are the Tongzhou General Military Officer." You should sit in this seat. ”

Dai Feng said: "But you are the general of the Liang army." ”

Xu Liang still shook his head and said, "If General Dai wants to say this, then you are still my old Taishan." ”

The two pushed and conceded, but Xu Liang couldn't give in. He reluctantly sat on the main seat.

After the generals sat down, Xu Liang arched his hand and said, "Several of them are brothers in life and death who followed me Xu Liang all the way from Jianchang. Xu Liang was incompetent, failed to save his brothers, and let tens of thousands of brothers leave their hometowns and run to the feet of the Son of Heaven to suffer, Xu Liang felt ashamed in his heart......"

Dai Feng and several other Liang generals suddenly panicked, got up one by one, saluted Xu Liang, and said repeatedly: "Lord Xu, don't say that. Being able to follow our adults is a blessing that we have cultivated in our previous lives. ”

Sima begged: "My lord, in my opinion, there is nothing bad in this Tongzhou city, don't worry about eating or drinking." You don't have to go to the front line to fight! After some time, the brothers settled down and took their cool wives and children over. That's it! ”

The rest of the generals also chimed in: "Yes, my lord. We Liang Jun tens of thousands of brothers, absolutely none of them will resent adults. ”

Xu Liang nodded. He looked at the generals and said, "Since you brothers trust Xu Liang so much, then I also hereby promise you brothers that from now on, no one can dismiss our Liang army again!" If anyone dares to fight our Liang army's idea, I promise that Liang will take all your brothers and destroy him! ”

"Good!" The generals applauded.

At this time, Dai Feng spoke: "Everyone, today Lord Xu arrived in Tongzhou City, then you will go back to the camp and arrange the corresponding affairs. ”

"Yes!" The generals responded in unison, spoke, and excitedly bowed their hands to Xu Liang, and dispersed.

In the General Soldier's Mansion, Dai Feng and Sima Qiudao beckoned Xu Liang and Wang Qinian to the inner courtyard of the General Soldier's Mansion to rest, drink tea and have snacks.

A few people sat scattered in the pavilion in the inner courtyard, and saw that Yicui Shuangshu came out with a tea and fruit plate, put it on the stone table in the pavilion, and retreated again.

Xu Liang glanced at Zhen'er and saw that her lower abdomen was slightly bulging, and there were really signs of pregnancy. Zhen'er's face turned red and she hurried away.

Xu Liang said to Dai Feng, who had a smug look on his face: "The old man's majesty has not diminished back then." ”

"That's it!" Dai Feng is full of spring breeze and is full of energy.

Xu Liang said in a deep voice: "Tongzhou City must be a small city, I have seen it for a few days, that Zhen'er has a big belly, so I will send her to the Dongjiang Courtyard." The conditions there are good, and it is convenient for children to be born in the future. ”

Dai Feng thought about it, then nodded and said, "It's okay." ”

The four people in the pavilion chatted aimlessly for a while, and Dai Feng asked about the current situation in the court. Xu Liang picked out a few important changes in the court recently.

When it was said that the officers and soldiers of the court fought unfavorably with the leaders of the People's Army Prince Shun, Miao Mei and other leaders in Shanxi, and lost several cities one after another, Dai Feng pounded the table and sighed: "It's a pity that our Liang army has just arrived here and has not yet gained a stable foothold, otherwise, I will ask the court for an order and take the Liang army sons and daughters out to fight with Wang Zishun, Miao Mei and others!" The war will be put to an end as soon as possible. ”

Sima Qiudao also sighed: "To deal with a mere prince Shun and Miao Mei, why do you need to go out in person." The last general will bring 3,000 cavalry of the Liang army, plus ten flying eagle cannons, and he can kill them without leaving a single piece of armor. Saying that, Sima Qiudao's expression darkened, and he sighed: "It's a pity that when Yang He, the governor of the three sides, dismissed the Liang army, according to Lord Xu's intentions, we hid the war horses and flying eagle cannons, and failed to bring them into the capital. Otherwise, how can you watch Shanxi become chaotic! ”

Xu Liang looked at Dai Feng, then at Sima Qiudao, and quipped: "I can't see that the two generals have entered the capital, and their ideological consciousness is different." I all know that I want to send troops to quell the chaos for the court! ”

Sima Qiudao looked at Xu Liang and grinned: "Didn't the last general learn this from you?" My lord, the matter of your donation of 20,000 taels of silver to the court has spread throughout our Liang army. My lord's loyal and patriotic ideological realm is beyond the reach of the general. ”

When Xu Liang heard this, he glared at Sima Qiudao amusedly, and said, "What do you kid know!" If I don't spend this money, I don't know how long it will take you to put on this general's official robe. ”

"Huh?" Sima Qiudao was stunned for a moment, scratching his head and looking at Xu Liang in surprise.

Xu Liang ignored this slow-brained person, turned to look at Dai Feng, and asked about the situation of Luo Rucai, Wan Wenshan and other generals who stayed in Pingliang.

That night, the lights in the Tongzhou General Military Mansion were bright, and nearly ten tables were set up for the banquet alone......

The banquet will not end until the hour of the child. Xu Liang was drunk.

The next day, Xu Liang said goodbye to the generals of the Liang army again and returned to the capital with Wang Qinian. The generals of Tongzhou City, under the leadership of the chief soldier Dai Feng, collectively climbed the city tower and watched Xu Liang leave.

The carriage had moved away from Tongzhou City. Xu Liang looked back, and he could vaguely see the Liang soldiers standing on the tower of Tongzhou City.

Retracting his gaze, Xu Liang rubbed his eyes a few times, and seeing Wang Qinian staring at him intently, Xu Liang explained curtly: "The sand is blowing in my eyes." ”

Wang Qinian interrupted Xu Liang and said, "My lord, there is no need to say it, I understand. ”

Xu Liang suddenly felt annoyed that Wang Qinian saw through it at a glance, and scolded with a smile: "You know a fart!" ”

Wang Qinian looked at Xu Liang seriously and said again: "My lord, I really understand. ”

Xu Liang said angrily: "Don't understand!" After saying that, he laughed first.

The carriage rushed to the Yongding Gate of the capital, and was just about to enter the city, when he suddenly heard a surprise shout behind him: "Lord Xu, wait a minute!" ”

Xu Liang and Wang Qinian couldn't help but turn around, and at the back of the carriage, a group of people who wanted to enter the city glanced at it, and saw that there was no one they knew.

At this time, the man shouted again: "Lord Xu, I am here!" ”

Xu Liang followed the sound, and finally saw the person who kept waving under a tea stall shed on the side of the road.

The man was dressed in a brown robe, his hair and clothes were covered with dust, and he looked simple, and there was a person who looked like a famous little guy standing next to him, with the same gray face.

The man and the little guy next to him carried a bulging cloth bag, trotted to Xu Liang's carriage, and arched his hand towards Xu Liang: "Lord Xu, you can be regarded as meeting an acquaintance." ”

Xu Liang was so shocked that his jaw was about to drop, he looked at the man dumbfounded, and asked in surprise: "Ma Sicheng, you, why did you become like this?" (To be continued......)