On the second floor of the teahouse on Chongwenmen Street, Xu Liang and Sun Chengzong sat opposite each other.

"I know that Ge Lao's Liaodong Army needs money to recover urgently." Xu Liang said unhurriedly, he stretched out his hand and gestured a cross: "I am going to donate 100,000 taels of silver to the pavilion elder to replenish military funds and help the pavilion elder guard Liaodong." Of course, such a large sum of silver has to be donated in the name of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. ”

Sun Chengzong heard the large amount of 100,000 taels of silver at first glance, even if he was a well-known veteran, he couldn't help but be shocked, "100,000 taels? ”

"One hundred thousand taels!" Xu Liang nodded.

Sun Chengzong gasped and blurted out in surprise: "How can you have so much money?" "It's no wonder that Elder Sun Ge was surprised, this time he entered Beijing, he originally wanted to transfer 50,000 taels of silver from the household department back to Liaodong, but the result was ...... The court is poor, and you can't give it! And the smiling Guanglu Temple Secretary Xu Liang in front of him opened his mouth with a huge amount of 100,000 taels!

Xu Liang smiled slightly: "This is not something that the elder should ask." ”

Immediately, Sun Chengzong's expression moved, his sharp eyes stared at Xu Liang, and he asked: "Lord Xu has such a determination to serve the country, why don't you donate 100,000 taels of silver directly to the court!" Just looking for an old man? Oh, presumably the conditions proposed by Lord Xu are also extremely harsh, right? ”

Xu Liang ignored Sun Chengzong's scrutinizing eyes, took a sip of tea for a while, and said: "This official found Sun Ge Lao, in addition to the things that this official asked for only Sun Ge can do, there is another reason," said Sun Ge Lao glanced at him, his tone changed, and he had a disgusted expression: "Although Ge Lao's temper is stinky and hard, and it is extremely unpleasant to look at this official horizontally and vertically, but the character of the old man is still trustworthy to the official." If the official hands over the 100,000 taels of silver to the court. I'm really worried that if the layers are peeled off, how many percent of what is really used on the Liaodong soldiers will be left? Comparatively. Although Sun Ge is more annoying, he is a person who does things. ”

Although Xu Liang's words were extremely ugly. But after Sun Chengzong heard this, he didn't have any disgust, he was silent for a while, sighed lightly, and said, "What are you going to ask the old man to do for you?" ”

Xu Liang's face was overjoyed, and he said, "It seems that Ge Lao agreed to make this deal?" ”

Sun Ge said: "Then it depends on what are the conditions of Lord Xu?" ”

Xu Liang said: "The conditions of this official are actually very simple for the elders. Presumably, Sun Yuanhua, the squire of the military department, also mentioned to the elders: Yang He, the governor of the three sides, abolished the Liang army in Shaanxi, and Dai Feng, Sima Qiudao and other generals in the Liang army are now waiting for vacancies in the military department. I would like to ask Elder Sun Ge to arrange them among the generals who recruited troops in the capital this time. ”

Sun Chengzong said: "This is easy to do, this recruitment is to supplement the peripheral defense of the Beijing Division, and the generals you mentioned will go to Tongzhou General Yang Guodong to take up their posts." ”

Xu Liang shook his head and said, "This official donated 100,000 taels of silver, if you only let Dai Feng and others serve as a general, then the money will be too worthless." ”

"What do you want?"

Xu Liang said directly: "Yang Guodong, the general soldier of Tongzhou, was in the process of fighting with the Tartars last year. Afraid of the enemy and cowardly, how can such a person serve as the general soldier of Tongzhou? Dai Feng was originally the deputy chief soldier of Pingliang, and in terms of seniority and ability, it was more than enough to serve as the chief soldier of Tongzhou. ”

Sun Chengzong glanced at Xu Liang. sneered: "Lord Xu is so generous. ”

Xu Liang didn't care, raised his eyebrows and said, "Old Sun Ge, this is 100,000 taels of silver!" 100,000 taels of silver to buy a general soldier. You've made a lot of money. ”

"What else?"

"What's more, this official also has some business in the Liaodong region under his name. Liaodong is your territory, and I hope to be able to get the care of the elder. Xu Liang said.

Sun Chengzong's face changed. said solemnly: "Okay, you Xu Liang, you dare to do business with the Tartars privately!" ”

Xu Liang sneered and pouted, "Why should Sun Ge be serious? Did there still be fewer people in the Ming Dynasty who did business with the Tartars? What's more, the people under my name only sell some deer antler velvet, ginseng, herbs and other items, and are not contaminated with pig iron, salt and other prohibited items. The elder took 100,000 taels of silver from his own official, and when the time comes, it will be convenient to do it. ”

Sun Chengzong groaned and said solemnly: "If it doesn't involve prohibited goods, that's it." If the old man finds out that you are mixed with some pig iron, salt, weapons, etc., the old man will definitely punish you severely. ”

Xu Liang said: "This is nature. ”

Sun Chengzong nodded and said, "If it's just these conditions, then the old man will agree." ”

Unexpectedly, Xu Liang said: "There is still ......"

Sun Ge's old eyebrows jumped sharply, and he said angrily: "And?!" ”

Xu Liang hurriedly beckoned and said with a smile: "Elder Ge is a little calm. The next thing the official mentioned was not the conditions, but the issue of the delivery of 100,000 taels of silver. ”

Sun Chengzong snorted coldly and said, "What can be the problem with delivery?" After the old man returns to Liaodong, you can directly ask the Chinese Entrepreneur Association to donate silver to the governor's yamen. ”

"No, no." Xu Liang shook his head when he heard this, and said, "Elder Ge is thinking too simply. One hundred thousand taels of silver, even if it is raised, it will take some time. The elder of the pavilion would not think that the official's house would store 100,000 taels of silver every moment, right? ”

Sun Chengzong glared at Xu Liang.

Xu Liang continued: "The intention of this official is that the Beijing Branch of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce will donate 20,000 taels of silver to the court to fill the treasury, and after the elder returns to Liaodong, the Chinese Entrepreneur Chamber of Commerce will donate 30,000 taels of silver to the Liaodong Governor's Mansion to replenish military funds, and the remaining 50,000 taels of silver will be paid in three years. ”

Sun Chengzong was so angry that his eyebrows rose when he heard this, he stood up, glared at Xu Liang, and shouted: "Listen to what you mean, you still have to pay the 100,000 taels of silver in three or four years?" ”

Xu Liang nodded.

Sun Chengzong said angrily: "So, this year, the old man actually got only 30,000 taels of silver?!" ”

Xu Liang nodded again.

Sun Chengzong shook his head resolutely and said, "No." ”

Xu Liang sighed lightly and said, "Elder Ge should know that 100,000 taels of silver is a very big, very large sum of money!" Even those wealthy businessmen and tycoons in Jiangnan can immediately take out 100,000 taels of silver. Didn't Ge Lao Mo think that the official was Shen Wansan? Tens of millions of family assets? To tell you the truth, in order to raise the 100,000 taels of silver, the business in my name. It's also a nerve! ”

Sun Chengzong was stunned for a moment, thinking that Xu Liang also made sense. 100,000 taels of silver. It is indeed not a small amount. After thinking about it, he said, "That's it." Xu Liang, how about you donate 50,000 taels of silver directly to the Liaodong Governor's Mansion first, and then deliver the rest in three years? ”

Xu Liang heard this, but shook his head decisively with a sneer, and said, "No." ”

Sun Chengzong shouted, "Why not?!" ”

Xu Liang looked out the window and said in a quiet tone: "Pavilion Elder, I, Xu Liang, donated such a large sum of money to the court, such a feat should always be known to the court." How much is a good name, right? ”

Sun Chengzong was stunned for a long time, pointed at Xu Liang, and shouted angrily: "You, you are like this, where do you still look like a third-grade high-ranking official!" The whole profiteer! ”

Xu Liang said with a smile: "Where, where, the old man is serious." I pay, you contribute, fair trade. Tong Suo is not a bully......"

Sun Chengzong almost walked away. On the second floor of the teahouse, Xu Liang and Tietou watched Sun Ge get into the carriage from the windowsill on the second floor and leave without a trace.

Tietou asked curiously, "Young Master." 100,000 taels of silver, it's not like our Xu Mansion can't get it, why do you have to give it to him in three or four years? ”

Xu Liang gave him a blank look. Said: "Ah Tie, do you understand the truth that wealth is not exposed?" Pay 100,000 taels at a time. It is not the same as paying 100,000 taels in four times. Moreover. With this silver hanging, we are also the food and clothing parents of the Liaodong Army, and Sun Ge Lao will always be embarrassed to attack me again in the next three or four years! ”

Tietou suddenly realized, gave Xu Liang a thumbs up, and praised repeatedly: "High! You're still smart, young master! ”

Sun Chengzong thought all the way in the carriage, and when the carriage arrived at the yamen of the Ministry of War, Sun Chengzong finally figured it out. There is no way, Liaodong is really short of money, even if the silver given by Xu Liang is stained with poison, Sun Ge Lao has to pinch his nose and swallow it.

The carriage stopped, and the coachman jumped out of the carriage, but when he saw that Sun Ge Lao in the car had no intention of getting out of the car, he asked carefully: "Ge Lao, the military department has arrived." ”

Sun Ge Lao's voice came from the car: "Don't go back to the Yamen, go out of the city and go to Nanyuan to see the recruitment situation." ”

Nanyuan is located directly south of the capital, which is an open plain area. The recruitment of troops in the capital presided over by Sun Yuanhua, the squire of the military department, was carried out here.

The military tents in Nanyuan were continuous, and the people who came to enlist at the gate of the barracks lined up in three long rows. This scene surprised Elder Sun Ge.

He ordered the carriage to stop on the side of the road, and without getting out of the carriage, he quietly watched the people who had come to apply for the draft. After watching for a long time, from registration to inspection, to enlistment, most of them were drafted in, and there were a few who were old or too young and regretfully left.

Everything was normal, but Sun Ge always felt that something was wrong.

A carriage suddenly appeared at the gate of the barracks, after all, it attracted the attention of the patrol soldiers, and some soldiers stepped forward to interrogate, and saw that it was Sun Gelao's carriage, and the soldiers were shocked, so they went to report to Sun Yuanhua, the soldier who was patrolling the camp in the camp.

Soon, Sun Yuanhua came out with a group of civil and military officials and welcomed Sun Ge into the camp politely.

"Oh, Lord Shangshu, why are you here and not bad to say? The lower officials were sluggish. Sun Yuanhua accompanied Sun Ge Lao in the camp, walking as he walked.

Sun Chengzong stroked his beard and said: "The old man had a temporary idea and wanted to come to see the recruitment situation, so he came. Master Sun, you take me around the camps. ”

"Yes." Sun Yuanhua answered, and beat away the following civil and military officials, and accompanied Sun Ge Lao to inspect the recruited recruits.

"My lord, please see, there are three battalions in the east, a total of 11,000 people," Sun Yuanhua pointed out the situation of the new barracks in the camp, "There are two battalions, 6,700 people, two battalions in the west with 7,000 people, and there are also two battalions that have not yet been completed, more than 4,000 people." In this recruitment, the enthusiasm of the people of Beijing to protect their homes and defend the country is quite high. ”

Sun Chengzong was secretly surprised, and said: "In just half a month, nearly 30,000 soldiers have been recruited? "Secretly slandered, when did the people of Jingshi become so keen to join the army and fight? You must know that in the eastern Liaodong region, even if he proposed the strategy of raising Liao people with Liao soil, he would not be able to recruit more than 30,000 people, and he would not be able to do it in half a year.

Sun Yuanhua's face changed slightly, and in a blink of an eye, he returned to normal, and said with a smile: "Heh, yes." Perhaps it was the invasion of the Tartar soldiers last year that awakened the patriotism in the hearts of the people. Ahem, my lord, the lower official will take you to the warehouse to have a look. ”

Sun Yuanhua was afraid that if he introduced too much, he would expose some things, so he diverted the topic.

Sun Ge Lao took a turn in the new barracks, and when he was leaving, Sun Yuanhua sent it to the gate of the camp, and Sun Ge Lao instructed Sun Yuanhua before getting into the carriage: "Lord Sun, this recruitment, the court has limited grain and grass, and the number of recruits is based on 40,000 people, and the maximum number of recruits shall not exceed 50,000. ”

"Yes, Xia Guan understands." Sun Yuanhua said.

"By the way, these soldiers were originally going to be sent to Tongzhou, why didn't you see Yang Guodong, the chief soldier of Tongzhou?" Sun Chengzong asked.

Unexpectedly, Sun Yuanhua listened to it, and said in a disdainful tone: "You said that Yang Zongbing? This master came once on the day of the recruitment, and when he saw the people who were recruited at the gate of the camp, he was very dissatisfied, and he stood for a while and then slapped his ass and returned to Tongzhou, and he never came again. ”

Sun Chengzong sighed slightly, waved his hand and said, "Okay, the old man will go back." ”

"Slow down, adults." Sun Yuanhua arched his hand.

Elder Sun Ge got into the carriage, and the carriage drove slowly. When I passed by the long queue of enlistments, I suddenly heard someone say: "Brothers, hurry up, we have been on the road for half a month, and the soles of our shoes have worn out, and we will be able to eat hot steamed buns when we enter the camp in a while." ”

What he said was not unusual, what made Sun Ge pay attention to the accent of this person's speech, which was a northern Shaanxi accent. Sun Chengzong lifted the curtain from the carriage, looked at the person who was talking, and saw that the group were all young and strong young men, about a dozen people, and while talking, the group of people lined up at the end of the line.

At this time, the man spoke again, but greeted a few people at the front of the team: "Yo, Captain Chen, you kid actually ran to the front!" It's pretty fast. ”

The young man who was called Captain Chen looked back and grinned, "We met an acquaintance and walked the path." You're a straight-going official, right? Hey. ”

The same northern Shaanxi accent.

Sun Ge's face was slightly gloomy, and he pondered. The previous person said that they had been on the road for half a month, and based on the accent of their speech, it was speculated that most of those people were from northern Shaanxi. The recruitment of troops in the capital has only been going on for more than half a month, but those people left for the capital half a month ago! What does this mean?

It shows that these people have already gotten the news that the capital is going to recruit soldiers! Sun Chengzong looked at the long line of conscripts again, and looked at it carefully for a while, this time he finally understood why he felt something was wrong when he saw these people waiting in a long line to enlist before.

Most of the people in the three teams in front of them were young adults in their twenties and thirties! And looking at their standing posture waiting in line, and even the posture of walking, Sun Chengzong became more and more sure that this group of people was not ordinary people in Beijing.

Three long lines, three or four hundred people, the line was actually straight and straight, and there was no noise, even if one or two people were talking, the sound was very small.

This kind of discipline is no more than that of the well-trained officers and men of the Beijing battalion! These people are clearly well-trained regular soldiers!

Northern Shaanxi? Soldier? Sun Chengzong's face gradually became angry, and he shouted in a deep voice: "Enter the palace immediately!" (To be continued......)