The Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month of the fifth year of Chongzhen has just passed, and the text of the officials has arrived in Shaanxi. As Xu Liang expected, Cao Bianjiao promoted the garrison of Chang'an, and He Qi replaced Ma Zhizhou as Guyuan Zhizhou. Cao Wenzhao, the former deputy chief soldier of Shaanxi, was transferred to the chief military officer of Shanxi, which can be regarded as a high promotion.

This happy situation made Xu Liang very satisfied. When seeing off Cao Wenzhao, Xu Liang politely said to Cao Wenzhao: "General Cao, although you are reluctant, you are promoted, and this official will not keep you." ”

Cao Wenzhao also behaved very politely, and his nephew Cao Bianjiao was promoted to the general of the Chang'an garrison, which made Cao Wenzhao feel sick. In addition, Xu Liang is also very interesting, and three days ago he officially appointed Cao Bianjiao as the deputy general of the Liang Army's cavalry battalion. It can be said that Cao Bianjiao jumped from a small lieutenant to a garrison general with military power a few days ago, which can be described as a big turnaround.

Cao Wenzhao politely bowed his hand to Xu Liang and said: "Lord Governor, although the last general has left Shaanxi, as long as the governor has something to do and needs the service of the last general, the last general will never refuse." After that, Cao Wenzhao looked at his nephew Cao Bianjiao and said: "Bianjiao is a young child, lacks experience, and is easy to act impulsively. ”

Xu Liang laughed and said, "General Cao, don't worry, this official has long regarded Changjiao as a confidant, and many things will have to fall on Cao Bianjiao in the future." ”

These words have a faint meaning, and when Cao Wenzhao heard it, he nodded gratefully. Then Cao Wenzhao called Cao Bianjiao aside alone, instructed some things, and said goodbye to Xu Liang and other people on the road.

Xu Liang and others watched Cao Wenzhao walk to the end of the official road before walking back with a group of officials. Xu Liang called Cao Bianjiao to his side, and said with a smile as he walked: "Bianjiao." After your uncle left, the cavalry battalion was handed over to you. ”

Cao Bianjiao listened. Immediately raised his head and shouted, "Don't worry, my lord." The last general will definitely train diligently and bring out a good army for the adults. ”

Xu Liang smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, the official will talk to you casually." The two walked forward almost side by side, and Xu Liang said in a deep voice: "You just promoted the deputy general, and you will be in a hurry to be promoted to the commander immediately." I want to wronged you as a deputy general first, lead the team first, and after some time, the official will give you a promotion. If you don't let go of the Jiaojiao, you can rest assured, above the deputy general of the cavalry battalion. There is no official position for the time being, so I will leave it all to you to command. ”

When Cao Bianjiao heard this, he was overjoyed, and said gratefully: "Thank you for your cultivation!" ”

Xu Liang patted Cao Bianjiao's shoulder and encouraged: "Do a good job, young man!" This official is very optimistic about you! ”

In a word, Cao Bianjiao said that his heart was warm and coaxing.

After the Lantern Festival, there were more things that needed Xu Liang to make decisions. The officials of the Third Division of Shaanxi ran to the governor's yamen like a marquee, military affairs. Civil affairs, urban defense, taxation, water conservancy, etc. There are too many things that need Xu Liang, the governor of Shaanxi, to make decisions. As soon as Xu Liang got busy, he didn't pay too much attention to the movements of Hong Chengchou, the governor of the three sides in Guyuan City.

Until the end of the first month, Xu Liang was busy for a while. Before he had time to rest, he asked Tietou about the movement of Guyuan.

Tietou smiled and said, "Young master, don't worry. In Guyuan City, the brothers of the Tsing Yi Guard Detective Office are always watching it. In addition, there is also a Guyuan Zhizhou He Qi, and what Governor Hong wants to do, he can't hide it from our eyes. However, during the whole New Year, Governor Hong didn't seem to do anything except go out to inspect a few border guards. ”

Xu Liang said in surprise: "Could it be that Governor Hong was hit hard by us and lost the courage to fight back?" ”

The iron head grinned, "Who knows! ”

Xu Liang instructed: "Let the Tsing Yi guard keep his eyes open and keep an eye on it." I don't think Governor Hong is such an easy person to defeat. Beware of Governor Hong stealing from us! ”

When the iron head heard this, he answered. Then he asked: "By the way, young master, after several expansions last year, the patrol division of the governor yamen has incorporated many defeated and surrendered civilian troops, and the total strength of the patrol division has reached 30,000 now. The barracks that had been arranged were already a little crowded. I'd like to find another camp for the Patrol Division. ”

Xu Liang listened noncommittally and asked directly, "Which place do you have your eye on?" ”

Tietou scratched his head and smiled, salivating and said: "Young master, now the guards in all parts of the command have become military bases, and there is no longer an army establishment under the command of Shaanxi. I saw that the commander of the envoys in Chang'an City also circled a large piece of land as a barracks, and now it has been empty, and it is a pity to put it, so it is better to assign it to our patrol division. ”

Xu Liang thought for a while and said, "It's not good for me to make decisions directly about this kind of thing, you better go and discuss it with Lord Deng Shuiqing." "Deng Shuiqing has always held the official titles of Shaanxi Provincial Inspector and Commander of the Metropolitan Envoy.

Tietou listened, put his mind at ease, and said happily: "Well, with your words, young master, Deng is not just a matter of words." ”

As it turned out, the iron head did not exaggerate. According to the envoy and commander of the capital, Deng Shuiqing was blocked in the official office by the commander of the patrol department, and asked in person for the barracks under the name of the commander of the envoy in the north of Chang'an City.

That's a lot of land, and there are hundreds of houses alone. Deng Shuiqing couldn't help but feel a pain in his flesh, and he was still thinking about the rhetoric of pushing and procrastinating, and when Tietou moved Xu Liang's name out, he said that the governor nodded his head about this matter. Deng Shuiqing was startled, his face changed faster than turning a book, and he immediately patted his chest and swore that the people from the Patrol Division would be able to move in with their bags in three days.

This kind of contrast between the front and back is too great, which makes Tietou glance at Deng Shuiqing with disdain.

After Deng Shuiqing let go freely, Tietou was a little impatient, and after directing several people from the embassy to withdraw from the barracks, Tietou directly led thousands of people to station, and after a while, he replaced the plaque of the Yamen of the Patrol Division at the gate the next day.

After Xu Liang learned about it, he came to visit with Luo Baiguan, the tax department, and Wang Qinian, the political counselor of Shaanxi, and the iron head led Xu Liang and others to show off inside and outside the yamen of the patrol department that had just been listed.

In the yamen of the patrol division, you can see the officers and soldiers of the patrol division moving things in and out everywhere, and several battalion masters of the patrol division are leading their men to tidy up the grass in the inner and outer courtyards, and replace them with saplings and flowers and other scenery.

Xu Liang and the others walked around casually and looked at it casually. After spending nearly half an hour and going around in a big circle. Shaanxi Counselor Wang Qinian looked at Admiral Tie Tou of the Patrol Division with envy and said: "Admiral Tie, the place you chose is really good. Not to mention the place occupied, it is also very close to the governor's yamen. Two streets away, the key is such a large circle of buildings, at first glance is the place where the big yamen stays! ”

Tietou listened to Wang Qinian's words, nodded again and again, and smiled happily.

Xu Liang asked, "How many officers and soldiers can be accommodated in this place?" ”

Tietou thought for a while and said, "Young Master, this camp is divided into four large barracks, southeast, northwest, and northwest, each of which can accommodate about 5,000 people. Combined, it's about 20,000 people. ”

Xu Liang listened, nodded with satisfaction, and ordered: "With this place, you arrange 20,000 people to be stationed in Chang'an City, which can be regarded as the guard army of Chang'an City." The other 10,000 horses, as a mobile force, are ready to leave the city at any time. ”

The iron head listened, and responded continuously. Xu Liang looked up at the large plaque of the patrol department at the gate. Said: "The Patrol Division occupies such a good place as the Command Division, Lord Deng should not sleep well for a few days and nights." In this way, Baiguan you allocated 50,000 taels of silver to send it to Lord Deng, which can be regarded as a small compensation. ”

The tax collector raised Luo Baiguan and listened. He smiled and responded.

Xu Liang and the others walked out of the gate of the Patrol Division, and when they saw that Tietou was still grinning and following Xu Liang and the others, Xu Liang scolded with a smile: "Okay." Iron head, you're following, hurry back and tidy up your new yamen! ”

The iron head listened. He stopped and watched Xu Liang and the others leave.

Xu Liang and Wang Qinian. Luo Baiguan returned to the governor's yamen, and the three of them entered Xu Liang's study and gossiped, and Wang Qinian asked Xu Liang about his next work plan.

Xu Liang thought for a while and said: "The work that should be arranged at the moment has been arranged, the rebellious people's army has been driven out of Shaanxi, Governor Hong has also stopped recently, and there is nothing important in Shaanxi in the future." Next, the official thought of Hanzhong, Pingliang, Gongchang and other mansions to take a look at random. Speaking of which, Liang Kee's big shopkeeper Wu Side mentioned to the official several times that Liang Kee's well salt and honeycomb coal business has expanded a lot, and the official has never had time to see it with his own eyes. Just taking advantage of the recent time, the official went to see it in person. ”

Wang Qinian listened and nodded.

Xu Liang glanced at Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan, and instructed: "If this official leaves Chang'an City, the affairs of the Shaanxi Governor's Yamen will have to have Lao Qinian and Bailuo." During my absence, everything was presided over by Wang Qinian. ”

Wang Qinian got up flattered, solemnly saluted, and said: "Your Excellency, rest assured, the lower officials will definitely take good care of the governor's yamen for your lordship, and there will be no stubble." ”

While the three of them were talking, a Tsing Yi guard outside the house asked for instructions: "My lord, Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang from the Tsing Yi Guard's Arms Department ask to see you." ”

Xu Liang and the other three looked at each other, and they were all a little puzzled, Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang from the arms department basically wouldn't come to the governor's yamen if they didn't have important things.

"Please!" Xu Liang said.

After a while, Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang from the Tsing Yi Guard Arms Department walked into Xu Liang's study, and greeted Xu Liang one by one, Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan.

"You don't have to be polite. You may be seated. Xu Liang's face was full of smiles, and after beckoning Chen Yu and the others to take their seats, Xu Liang asked curiously: "The two of you are both people who have nothing to do and go to the Three Treasures Palace, and there must be something important when they come together this time!" ”

Wang Qinian quipped: "Didn't the two of you make a major discovery in the process of studying gunpowder?" ”

Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang shook their heads when they heard this. Wang Dazhuang looked at Chen Yu and motioned for Chen Yu to report to Xu Liang.

Chen Yu cleared his throat and arched his hand towards Xu Liang and said, "Lord Qiyu, this time my subordinates are in a hurry to come over to meet your lord, and there is indeed an important matter to report to your lordship. However, this matter has nothing to do with gunpowder. ”

"Tell me about it." Xu Liang smiled and gestured.

"Early this morning, my subordinates suddenly received an urgent message from our business in Turpan," Chen Yu's expression became serious, and he said to Xu Liang Zhengse: "The news says that Turpan's Karman Thorn has set off from Turpan and made a special trip to Shaanxi to visit the governor. ”

Xu Liang listened, but smiled indifferently: "How big should I do." Didn't that Karman from Turpan send someone here last year? He will come when he comes, and when the time comes, Chen Yu and Wang Dazhuang will be received. Oh, in order to show our respect and welcome to Karl Manchu, when the time comes, you will hold a banquet on behalf of this official. ”

Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan listened and nodded in agreement. Turpan's Manchu Karl, whose status is basically equivalent to a county or prefecture in the Ming Dynasty, Xu Liang arranged for Shaanxi political Wang Qinian to receive him, it should be said that he was quite respectful. Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan both believe that there is nothing wrong with this.

However, Chen Yu shook his head and said: "My lord, this time Karl Manthorn did not come alone, and he came with the third son of Turpan Contemporary Sutan, Cha Kexi. The news from our business in Turpan says that Chakexi has come on behalf of Sutan in Turpan to discuss the conclusion of a permanent trade pact with you. ”

After Chen Yu finished speaking, Xu Liang exchanged glances with Wang Qinian, Luo Baiguan and others, Xu Liang also sat up straight, looked at Chen Yu with a straight face, and asked in a deep voice: "Is the news sent back by the business accurate?" ”

Chen Yu said with certainty: "The subordinates and Wang Dazhuang have carefully verified, the news is indeed from the Turpan firm, and there will be no fakes." My lord, my subordinates feel that if Nacha Kexi came on behalf of Tulu Pan Sutan, then this matter would be not trivial. ”

Xu Liang nodded with a deep groan, and said to Wang Qinian and Luo Baiguan: "It seems that the official's travel time has to be postponed later." ”

Xu Liang had to face up to this person named Cha Kexi, Turpan's Sutan, which is equivalent to the king, and Cha Kexi is the third son of Sutan, and also represents the contemporary Sutan of Turpan.

Since it was decided to stay to receive the arrival of the prince of Tulupan, Xu Liang carefully discussed with Wang Qinian, Luo Baiguan, Chen Yu, Wang Dazhuang and others in the study, and generally determined the regulations for receiving Cha Kexi, and asked Wang Qinian to implement them according to the regulations.

After the discussion was decided, Wang Qinian, the political counselor of Shaanxi, suddenly thought of a thorny question: "My lord, the visit of Prince Chakexi is considered a foreign envoy, should such a major matter be reported to the court?" In particular, should you notify the Trilateral Governor's Palace? ”

Xu Liang and Luo Baiguan, Chen Yu and others were stunned. After listening to Wang Qinian's words, several people thought about it carefully, if they received Cha Kexi according to the specifications of foreign envoys, then the Shaanxi Governor Yamen would not have this qualification to receive him before he was authorized by the court.

If Xu Liang really wants to do this, it is a major crime of suspected rebellion.

Xu Liang was stunned, looked at Wang Qinian and said slowly: "In this way, if the reception specifications are lowered again, it will not be according to the foreign envoys!" Didn't Chakosi come with Karl Manchu? Just receive it as a representative of the caravan in Turpan. As for the court and the Trilateral Governor's Palace, there is no need to alarm them for such a small matter! (To be continued.) )