The situation in Taiyuan was tense, but Xu Liang, the governor of Shaanxi in Hancheng, still had the leisure to go out hunting.

To the east of Hancheng, there is a deep mountain and old forest.

A wild boar with an arrow stuck in its back howled and fled in panic, blood dripping from its body on the ground and smearing the grass and leaves along the way.

Not far away, the horses' hooves sounded, and a group of knights of about twenty men rode after them, and two hounds barked, following the trail of the wild boar.

The governor of Shaanxi took the lead, holding a bow in one hand, but his face was a little angry. Originally, the weather was good today, so Xu Liang took Wang Qinian, Qi Chu, Luo Baiguan and others out of the city to hunt, and went around in this barren mountain for a long time, and finally caught up a wild boar with only hundreds of catties.

Wang Qinian and others are also very good at being people, so such a good opportunity naturally has to be given to their own adults. So Xu Liang stretched his bow and set up arrows...... Then, with an arrow, the wild boar that had been foraging for food screamed wildly, and the girl fled into the woods. The crowd only had time to see half of the black boar's buttocks, and the arrow stuck in the boar's body, swaying!

Wang Qinian and the others were a little surprised, Xu Liang felt that he had no face, so he was extremely angry and led people to chase after him.

"It's just ahead, you can't let that beast run!"

Xu Liang shouted angrily.

The barking of two hounds came from ahead! Then there was the howling of wild boars.

"My lord, the dog has caught up!" Wang Qinian heard this sound and shouted.

The group then patted their horses and chased after them, and after chasing them for half a mile, they saw two dogs surrounding the wild dog and biting them.

Xu Liang jumped off the horse, walked to the wild dog that fell to the ground, and kicked it with his foot, only to see the wild dog snorting, but it was more in and less out, and he had already been bitten by the dog and his throat was broken, and he couldn't do it.

Xu Liang walked away regretfully, and when Wang Qinian saw this, he immediately instructed Tsing Yiwei to shout: "Quick, quickly tie up the wild dogs hunted by the adults and carry them back!" ”

When Xu Liang heard this, he rolled his eyes, glared at Wang Qinian, and scolded with a smile: "Okay, you Wang Qinian, are you a poor official?" ”

Wang Qinian laughed and said, "Don't dare, don't dare." ”

The four Tsing Yi guards untied the rope and tied the wild boar to the back of a horse, and then everyone looked at Xu Liang, Wang Qinian asked with a smile: "My lord, do we still want to go inside?" Maybe there's bigger prey in the mountains. ”

Xu Liang looked at the sky, the sky was still clear, but it was a little gloomy at this time, and Fang Cai was out of shape, so he lost any interest, waved his hand and said: "It's not early!" It's enough to have this wild boar, forget it today, come back another day. ”

Xu Liang said this, and everyone naturally had no opinion, so the group got on their horses and returned to Hancheng.

On the way, Wang Qinian rode a horse and followed behind Xu Liang, and asked loudly: "My lord, our people are stationed in Hancheng, and it has been three days since the troops were stationed, and Lu Zhigao, the governor of Shanxi, wrote four times in succession, so we really won't participate in the Battle of Taiyuan?" ”

Xu Liang sat on horseback with a shake, looked at the scenery along the way, pondered for a while, and then waved his hand indifferently: "How old is Lu Zhigao?" Our Shaanxi officers and soldiers didn't take a penny from the court. The surnamed Lu wants us to send troops, but he has empty words and white teeth, so why will he send troops when he says that he will send troops? He will not be reimbursed for travel expenses and labor expenses! ”

When Wang Qinian heard this, he touched the tip of his nose and couldn't reply.

"It's just that if we don't move, if we delay the fighter, will the court blame?" Wang Qinian, as Xu Liang's subordinate confidant, naturally thinks more than Xu Liang's.

Xu Liang sneered, "I, Xu Liang, am willing to lead the army to Hancheng and clean up the people's army on the border, which can be regarded as giving Emperor Chongzhen a big face!" The court did not spend a soldier or a salary, and obtained the peace of the Shaanxi border, is the emperor not satisfied with such a good thing? ”

"I'm afraid the cabinet members don't think so." Wang Qinian reminded honestly.

Xu Liang waved his hand disdainfully and said, "It's okay." According to the news from Huang Daozhou, Emperor Chongzhen was already quite dissatisfied with the first assistant Zhou Yanru, and seeing that the court was about to change the first assistant, the cabinet would definitely be lively for a while, and there was no time to pay attention to us. ”

Xu Liang and Wang Qinian, Qi Chu, Luo Baiguan and other subordinates chatted while walking, and after half an hour, the gate of Hancheng could already be seen.

Everyone got on the official road, beat their horses and ran to Hancheng City.

In a small tea stall on the side of the official road, there were more than a dozen men sitting, and the leader raised his eyes to see Xu Liang's face clearly, and with a hula, he rushed out of the tea stall, stretched out his hand to block the official road, and shouted: "Lord Xu stays!" ”

Xu Liang and the others drank their mounts in surprise, stopped in front of the man, and saw that this person was lean and lean, with a triangular beard on his chin, but he was wearing a wide Confucian shirt, which looked loose and baggy.

As soon as he shouted, the rest of the men in the tea stall also gathered around and stood on the side of the road, but they didn't mean to step forward.

Xu Liang looked at it for a long time, convinced that he didn't know this person, and couldn't help asking, "Who are you?" What is the intention of blocking the way of this official? ”

The man smiled with his hands, and his eyes almost smiled into a slit: "The small one is Ma Liu, the subordinate of the Eighth King Zhang Xianzhong, who has been waiting for Lord Xu here for a long time on the orders of my master." ”

Xu Liang sighed, and the Tsing Yi Wei behind him looked vigilant, looking at Ma Liuhe and the dozen men on the side of the tea stall respectfully.

Wang Qinian sighed: "You are really not afraid of death! Dare to come to the foot of Hancheng! ”

Ma Liu's beard trembled for a while, and said, "The little one knows that Han Cheng is heavily guarded, and he can't get close easily. However, in order to fulfill the order of my general, even if it is the Longtan Tiger's Den, the small one has to go. Lord Xu, can you take a step and go into the tea stall to talk? ”

Xu Liang looked at Ma Liu and the dozen or so men he brought, nodded lightly, turned over and dismounted, and strode towards the tea stall, and a group of Tsing Yi guards also followed, guarding around Xu Liang, guarding, Wang Qinian, Luo Baiguan, and Qi Chu stood behind Xu Liang and looked at Ma Liu coldly.

Xu Liang picked a clean chair and sat down, then looked at Ma Fang, and asked, "Zhang Xianzhong sent you to see this official, if there is anything important, let's talk about it." ”

Ma Liu smiled, picked up the teapot and filled the empty teacup in front of Xu Liang with a cup of tea, raised his hand and said, "Lord Governor is returning from hunting, drink a cup of tea to moisten your throat first." ”

Xu Liang didn't look at the steaming tea, looked at Ma Liu coldly, and said, "Something to say!" ”

"Hey." Ma Liu didn't care, sat down in front of Xu Liang, shook his head and said, "Lord Governor, you once had a deal with King Gao Yingxiang, and this matter has spread among our people's army. However, I heard that Gao Yingxiang is not very authentic, and he uses some goods that are difficult to realize to fool the governor, which is really lacking in morality. ”

Xu Liang frowned, and said coldly: "This official is most disgusted with other people's calculations, and this time he led the officers and soldiers of Shaanxi to the expedition, intending to teach Gao Yingxiang a lesson." ”

Ma Liu grinned and said, "The governor is right, we should take revenge on those who offend us. On this matter, after General Zhang heard about it, he scolded Gao Yingxiang very badly. However, then again, scolding and scolding, our General Zhang very much hopes that the agreement between the governor and the Shanxi People's Army will continue to be valid. ”

Xu Liang said indifferently: "It's a pity that this official has already sent troops. ”

Ma Liu shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter. As long as the adult's soldiers and horses can stay in Hancheng, our people's army will think that the adult still abides by the agreement, which is not considered to be a violation of the rules. ”

Xu Liang looked at Ma Liu in front of him with interest, although this person has a bad image, he doesn't sit or stand, but he is indeed a lobbyist.

Xu Liang spread his hands, with a embarrassed expression, and said, "However, this official is very angry about Gao Yingxiang's fraud, and this official doesn't believe in the integrity of your people's army now. ”

When Ma Liu heard this, he waved his hand again and again, and said, "Lord Governor, the little one can assure you that our General Zhang and Gao Yingxiang are definitely two completely different types of people. General Zhang is the most trustworthy of his promises. Of course, in order to mend the friendly and mutual trust relationship between the people's army and the Governor, General Zhang is willing to show sincerity and give the governor some compensation. ”

Xu Liang was surprised, and he was also a little moved. Listening to this meaning, it seems that Zhang Xianzhong wants to give himself benefits? Xu Liang stared at Ma Liu and sneered: "How does Zhang Xianzhong plan to compensate?" The official's ugly words are ahead, and if the sincerity is insufficient, the official will look down on him. ”

Ma Liu got up and laughed: "Of course, how can you be a little childish when you talk about friendship with the governor." With that, he shook his head at the dozen or so men behind him and shouted, "Brothers, show your sincerity to the governor!" ”

Behind Ma Liu, more than a dozen men should snort, then turned around and walked to the bottom of the tea stall counter, and pushed the counter open with a bang!

After Xu Liang and the others saw the counter clearly, it was actually five large boxes in a row side by side.

The people brought by Ma Liu moved together and opened the five boxes at the same time, and suddenly a dazzling light was reflected, which made Xu Liang squint. The people behind Xu Liang stared at it again and couldn't help but be stunned.

Silver! Cash silver of white flowers! Five whole boxes!

Ma Liu saw the expressions of the people behind Xu Liang in his eyes, the corners of his mouth were furrowed, he looked at Xu Liang with a smile, and arched his hand: "Lord Governor, here is the 50,000 taels of silver specially prepared by General Zhang, dedicated to Lord Governor, just to express a little apology from the people's army." Hehe, I don't know, are these sincerity enough? ”

Xu Liang couldn't help but swallow his saliva secretly, and secretly said that Zhang Xianzhong, the eight kings, was really generous, and the 50,000 taels of silver were sent out so simply, and he was not afraid that Xu Liang would eat all the goods.

Ma Liu disappeared at the end of the official road with his people, and the Tsing Yi guards around Xu Liang crowded to the edge of the box and counted the cash in the box one by one.

The tax department raised Luo Baiguan and sighed loudly at Xu Liang: "Whoever tells me that the Northwest People's Army rebelled because they were too poor to eat, I have to tear their mouths apart!" Look at Zhang Xianzhong, the eight kings of the people, and his shot is a big deal of 50,000 taels! It's much more generous than our Ming Dynasty! ”

Wang Qinian counted the amount of silver, and the whole ingot of silver plus some loose silver at the bottom of the box added up to 50,000 taels. He walked up to Xu Liang, who was standing and groaning, and reminded with a worried face: "My lord, Zhang Xianzhong's big stroke, it can be seen that the people's army's plan this time is not small. Wouldn't there be something wrong with us taking their money? ”

Xu Liang looked up to the sky and snorted: "Don't be a fool with the money sent to the door." Saying that, Xu Liang couldn't help laughing heartily: "Qi Nian, this is 50,000 taels of silver!" Fifty thousand taels! Enough to equip five battalions of soldiers and horses! ”

Wang Qinian hesitated, "That...... Are we really going to stand still? ”

Xu Liang looked at the northern sky, and his eyes seemed to see through the clouds, and he saw Puxian County, two hundred miles away, where Zhang Xianzhong, the eighth king, was there.

"Get the money in your hands first, and then you won't be able to send troops." Xu Liang dropped his sentence and got on his horse and returned to the city.

Back in Hancheng, Xu Liang immediately brought the iron head and Duan Zhigang to him, and ordered with a serious face: "From now on, all the Tsing Yi Guard Detective Department will be dispatched to monitor every move of the Puxian People's Army, and any abnormality will be reported immediately." ”

Duan Zhigang saw that Xu Liang was serious, so he responded, and then asked in a low voice, "My lord, what's wrong?" ”

Xu Liang pouted: "This official just received 50,000 taels of silver from Zhang Xianzhong, and he is a little unsure!" ”

"Huh?" Tietou and Duan Zhigang were both a little stunned. Secretly, since you have taken other people's money, the next thing should be to take people's money and do things for others? Why do you spy on others instead?

However, Xu Liang didn't explain much, and ordered Duan Zhigang, and Xu Liang said to Tietou again: "Ah Tie, pass the order, the whole army will enter a state of standby, ready to fight at any time!" ”

"Yes." The iron head grinned and said, "My lord, the whole army can't wait to go to war. ”

"Don't panic," Xu Liang chuckled lightly and said faintly, "It seems that Taiyuan City is going to have a big bustle to see!" On such an important occasion, how could it be done without my Shaanxi Governor Xu Liang! ”

There was a busy scene in Taiyuan City, and countless weapons and armor were moved out of the warehouse and distributed. The people in Taiyuan City were strictly ordered to stay in their respective homes, and it was strictly forbidden to go out and move around at will.

Lu Zhigao, the governor of Shanxi, was in the governor's yamen, and the officials of Shanxi entered the hall like a marquee, and after receiving the order, they came out and ran everywhere.

After the last order was issued, Governor Lu only felt that his throat and eyes were about to smoke, so he poured a pot of cold boiled water fiercely, and then slumped in his chair and gasped.

Shanxi commander-in-chief Cao Wenzhao and Zuo Liangyu walked in, stood in front of Governor Lu, and looked at him. Zuo Liangyu frowned and said: "Lord Lu, the number of troops going out to battle tomorrow is still small, and the victory or defeat is still in the number of five or five. ”

Governor Lu stroked his forehead and sighed helplessly: "This official has already transferred all the troops that can be deployed. At that time, after the two generals went to war, the entire Taiyuan City was completely handed over to those temporary patchwork families, guards, and people's strong guards! Governor Lu's face showed pleading, got up, and bowed to Cao Wenzhao and Zuo Liangyu: "Tomorrow's battle is related to the safety of Taiyuan City, two generals, please!" ”

Cao Wenzhao and Zuo Liangyu were taken aback when they saw Shanxi Governor Lu Zhigao like this, and the two hurriedly stepped aside, refusing to accept Governor Lu's worship, and then both bowed their hands, and said with a straight face: "The last general will definitely go all out and never let down the governor!" (To be continued.) )