Not only did Xu Liang feel that there was a conspiracy in it, but even the most sluggish patrol commander Tietou also felt that something seemed to be wrong with the development of things.

Xu Liang immediately ordered the Jingshi Qingyi Guard to strictly investigate every move of the court in the Jingshi during this period of time, and to detail how many meals Emperor Chongzhen eats every day and goes to the toilet.

Immediately, the court's will on Zhu Cunshu, the king of Qin, to be posthumously crowned as the prince of Qin, Xu Liang suddenly felt that the court's recent moves were full of evil.

The funeral of King Qin, naturally, was arranged by officials sent by the Yamen of Shaanxi Governor and the Ministry of Rites, and Xu Liang, as the largest local official in Shaanxi, symbolically appeared to participate in several times, and after showing up for the meeting, he no longer appeared.

Of course, in order to show solemnity, the governor of the three sides, Hong Chengchou, still showed up, and after speaking a few words about the scene, he withdrew with the support of the two Tsing Yi guards.

The newly succeeded King Qin was very unfriendly to himself, and in the face of Xu Liang, he had a bit of a cold finger.

The new King of Qin is named Zhu Younian, the only son of the late Qin King Zhu Cunshu, who succeeded to the throne of Qin.

Xu Liang really didn't expect that Zhu Younian would come all the way to Shaanxi to succeed the king of Qin, as if he was indifferent to the death of the king of Qin.

On the day of King Qin's burial, Shaanxi King Qinian chased after Xu Liang and carefully persuaded him: "My lord, I look at the new Qin King Zhu Youxiang, who has succeeded him, with fierce eyes, and he is definitely not easy to match. ”

Xu Liang frowned, waved his hand and said: "Now the officials in Shaanxi are all looking forward to their own officials, even if the new King of Qin has any ideas in his heart, if he wants to realize it, I am afraid it will be difficult." The old King Qin has just died, and the bones are not cold, so it is really inconvenient for us to attack the new King Qin. ”

Wang Qinian listened to it and even claimed that it was.

As the king of the Ming Dynasty, the burial ceremony of King Qin was bound to be complicated and boring. Many people in Tsing Yiwei were not able to hold out to the end, and Xu Liang couldn't look down on these people at a glance. Even if some of them are indeed highly qualified, their character is very problematic.

However, some of Zhu Younian's practices finally attracted Xu Liang's attention, that is, a few days after the old Qin King was buried, Wang Qinian ran to Xu Liang's study and reported to Xu Liang in person: "My lord, my subordinates have found that this Qin King Zhu Younian has been in frequent contact with the noble officials of Shaanxi recently, and there is a faint tendency to form gangs. ”

After Xu Liang took office as the governor of Shaanxi, although he was the first to take a provincial vassal king, there were so many nobles in Shaanxi, how could Xu Liang catch them all, yes, although Xu Liang covered the sky with one hand in Chang'an City, but the nobles of Chang'an City had no damage.

"Gangs?" Xu Liang sneered and said, "There is a way to rebel in a show, and it will not be successful in ten years." Just relying on some gangsters in Chang'an City, they want to form a gang, and it seems that Zhu Younian is just like that. ”

Wang Qinian said worriedly: "Your Excellency, you must not be careless, Shaanxi nobles have been in Shaanxi for nearly two hundred years, and their power is unfathomable. ”

Xu Dang thought for a while and said, "Qi Nian thinks well. In this way, let Shaanxi Xuezheng think of a way to expel the sons and daughters of the nobles who were close to the Qin King Zhu Younian from the provincial academy, and the nobles will have a look. ”

Wang Qinian received the order, and immediately instructed Shaanxi Xuezheng to handle it according to Xu Liang's intentions, these nobles were originally the sons of gentlemen, and they wanted to find their faults, so they simply found a lot of them, and within three days, more than a dozen noble children were kicked out of the school by the master for one reason or another.

Their parents were shocked, and casually found Shaanxi Xuezheng, and then came to the Shaanxi Governor's Yamen to intercede, and soon under the awakening of Shaanxi Governor Wang Qinian, they no longer had anything to do with Zhu Younian, the king of Qin.

Soon, the courtyard of the Qin Wangfu was cold, and the fallen leaves were piled up.

Zhu Younian, the king of Qin, who originally planned to unite some nobles to give Xu Liang some color, died in his stomach before the business opened, which can be described as quite depressed.

On the sixth day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Chongzhen, the newly appointed governor of Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, Xu Jiang, took office. Soon after Xu Jiang arrived, his parents, Xu Changkun and Xu Yang, soon rushed to Shaanxi, all the way to Shaanxi.

The first meeting between the two brothers, Xu Jiang and Xu Liang, was in the inner courtyard of the Shaanxi governor's yamen. When Xu Jiang saw the third brother Xu Liang in front of him, who was in power in Shaanxi, he couldn't help but have mixed feelings.

However, Xu Liang was very open, enthusiastically took Xu Jiang's hand, and introduced the high-level officials in Shaanxi Province one by one, and introduced Wang Qinian, the political envoy of Shaanxi, He Zhun of Shaanxi, the political envoy of the left of Shaanxi, Qi Chu, the political envoy of the right, Deng Shuiqing, the envoy of the inspection, Luo Baiguan, the tax department, Tietou, the patrol department, and Duan Zhigang, the head of the Tsing Yi Wei stall, to Xu Jiang.

Xu Jiang naturally put up the posture of his subordinates, and respectfully saluted several superiors, and the courtesies were thorough.

Xu Liang saw all the process in his eyes, but he couldn't hide the worry in his eyes.

Shaanxi political counselor Wang Qinian saw Xu Liang's expression in his eyes, and after Xu Jiang retreated, Wang Qinian chased after Xu Liang's study, looked at Xu Liang, and said bluntly: "My lord, my subordinates clearly see that there are still doubts in my lord's heart. ”

Facing his own henchmen, Xu Liang naturally no longer retained, nodded calmly, and said: "Qi Nian, in the history of the Ming Dynasty, how many people have been promoted to the five grades in less than two years?"

Wang Qinian thought about it carefully and said: "After counting the Ming Dynasty, few people can reach such a level. Of course, Lord Xu is an exception. ”

Xu Liang shook his head and said affirmatively: "This official started as a non-grade historian, and after four or five years, by chance, he became the governor of Shaanxi. And my eldest brother, Xu Jiang, has mediocre qualifications and mediocre political achievements, and he was able to be promoted three levels in a row, from a small county with seven products to Xi'an Tongzhi with five products. These kinds of things, smell and smell. ”

Wang Qinian nodded honestly: "My subordinates can't figure out this." ”

Xu Liang's eyes were even more worried, and he said: "Xu Jiang, this person, this official also has some understanding, in addition to studying hard, it is really difficult to find other specialties, if he is appointed to the fifth grade Xi'an Tongzhi by virtue of his merits, this official will not believe it." ”

Xu Liang seemed a little disappointed, "It's a pity that this official ordered the Jingshi Qingyi Guard to find out the cause and effect of this matter as soon as possible, but unfortunately to this day, there is still no new progress." ”

Wang Qinian comforted: "My lord, the strength of Tsing Yi Wei in Beijing is still a little weak, and it is not possible to solve the problem in a while and a half to find out the news. ”

Xu Liang nodded slowly, and suddenly heard the Tsing Yi Wei standing outside the door asking for instructions: "Lord Qiyu, Xu Jiang, the same acquaintance of Xi'an Mansion asks to see him outside the palace." ”

Xu Liang was slightly stunned, and secretly said that he and Xu Liang had only been separated for an hour, and Xu Jiang came running over, could there be any major events that could not be reported? After thinking about it, Xu Liang said loudly: "Please." ”

After a while, Xu Jiang, the newly appointed Tongzhi of Xi'an Mansion, strode in, and when he saw Wang Qinian, the political counselor of Shaanxi Province in the house, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned, and casually respectfully bowed his hand to Xu Liang and said: "Your Majesty Xu Jiang has come to see the governor." ”

Xu Liang chuckled and said, "Big brother doesn't have to be polite, get up and talk quickly." ”

When Xu Jiang got up, Xu Liang chuckled and said: "Big brother, this official is discussing with Wang Qinian, the political counselor of Shaanxi, the plan of the Shaanxi Governor Yamen next, and the eldest brother happened to be here, just to hear what the eldest brother has planned?" ”

Xu Jiang said wryly: "Don't make fun of the lower officials, Lord Governor." The lower official is only the same governor of Xi'an, and before the arrival of the Xi'an prefect, he temporarily takes charge of the political affairs of Xi'an Prefecture. ”

Xu Liang chuckled lightly and said: "Big brother don't have to worry too much, the holy decree does not clearly say that the vacancy of the governor of Xi'an Mansion will be filled, this is the meaning of acquiescence, as the governor of Shaanxi, I also feel that the affairs of Xi'an Mansion are enough to be managed by the eldest brother, and it is really not appropriate to add furniture." ”

When Xu Jiang heard this, he was immediately overjoyed, and his eyebrows fluttered: "The governor thinks so, and the lower officials are grateful. However, when it comes to the affairs of Xi'an Prefecture, the governor, when Xia Guan was far away in Liaodong, he was quite particular about the people in Liaodong to build cities. ”

"Oh?" Xu Liang and Wang Qinian exchanged glances, and they both looked at Xu Jiang with great interest.

Xu Jiang was deeply encouraged, and raised his voice and said: "In the past few days, Xia Guan has also gone to check all over the upper floor of Chang'an City, and Xia Guan believes that it is far from enough to arrange four general cannons at the east gate of Chang'an City, and eight cannons should be arranged in each of the other three to show the prestige of our army." ”

Xu Liang was stunned for a moment, and then said suspiciously: "You mean, you want to add cannons to the other three?" ”

Xu Jiang nodded affirmatively and said: "Exactly, in this way, Chang'an City can be described as impregnable, even if he is a hundred and eighty thousand soldiers and horses, he will not want to attack Chang'an City." ”

Xu Liang frowned and said: "This matter is a big matter, and this official has to consider it carefully." ”

Xu Jiang smiled and waved his hand: "Of course, these are all one-sided words of the lower officials, and everything has to be decided by the governor." ”

Xu Liang nodded slowly, and then asked Xu Jiangdao, "Do you have anything else important?" ”

Xu Jiang was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Oh, that's the case, I see that the school in Xi'an Mansion is dilapidated, and it really doesn't match the image of Shaanxi. ”

Xu Liang was stunned, and then waved his hand and said, "For these things, you can directly ask the tax department to raise Luo Baiguan." ”

Xu Jiang listened, smiled gratefully, and then saw that Xu Liang and Wang Qinian were looking at him with eyes, Xu Jiang wanted to stay in the study and listen to what Xu Liang and Wang Qinian wanted to say, but in the face of Xu Liang and Wang Qinian's gaze, Xu Jiang had no choice but to retreat.

A few days later, another afternoon, Xu Jiang, as a colleague of Xi'an Prefecture, once again arrived at the governor's yamen and stated his opinion to Xu Liang on the establishment of regimental training in Xi'an Prefecture.

This organization is quite popular in other provinces of the Ming Dynasty, because this kind of armed force is generally formed by local wealthy households, on the one hand, to protect the property safety of wealthy households, and on the other hand, it is also convenient for the local government to temporarily mobilize and requisition.

This kind of military general, the court does not spend a penny or food to maintain, when it is really necessary to use, you can use a piece of paper, call over, it can be said to save time and effort, quite effective.

Xu Jiang, the Tongzhi of Xi'an, wanted to follow the example of other provinces and implement this policy in Xi'an, Shaanxi.

However, Xu Liang thought for a long time before he said euphemistically: "Xu Jiang, the defense of Chang'an City is in charge of the patrol department and the city defense battalion, and all the local squares and lili are in charge of the fangzheng and lizheng, as well as the local militia. Isn't it redundant to form a group training again? ”

Xu Jiang's face was slightly red, and he insisted: "The governor's words are wrong. Alas, third brother, eldest brother, I have been in Liaodong for so long, and I have seen the combat effectiveness of the Liaodong regiment with my own eyes, and sometimes it is even comparable to the Liaodong Iron Cavalry. The eldest brother believes that our Xi'an Mansion should follow suit. ”

Xu Liang listened, pondered for a while, and then said: "Big brother, I think that with the officers and soldiers of the city defense battalion and the inspection department patrolling and guarding, Chang'an City will be impregnable, and the enemy outside will not want to attack it." As for organizing group exercises, I am worried that once the group exercises are carried out, it will be difficult to guarantee that they will not arouse the covetousness of others. ”

Xu Jiang sighed secretly in his heart, and finally reluctantly said goodbye and left.

A few days later, Xu Jiang came to the Shaanxi Governor's Gate again to ask Xu Liang's opinion on arranging the issue of rewarding the officers and soldiers of Shaanxi Anfu.

After Xu Jiang left, Wang Qinian finally looked at Xu Liang's face carefully, and said: "My lord, my subordinates feel that recently, Xu Jiang, the prefect of Xi'an, seems to be too enthusiastic about state affairs. ”

Xu Liang sighed and said indifferently: "Qi Nian, isn't this very good." ”

Wang Qinian said: "My subordinates finally felt a little uneasy. ”

Xu Liang sighed in his heart, and he couldn't make up his mind. Since Xu Jiang held the post of Tongzhi of Xi'an Prefecture, and Xu Changkun and Xu Yang had already arrived in Shaanxi, according to Xu Liang's proposal, they arranged for the two to live in a small village not far from the governor's yamen.

During the period when Xu Liang transferred He Renlong, He Huchen, and Cao Bianjiao back to Shaanxi, Tulu Pan Sutan launched two counterattacks in a row, all of which were blocked by the defender Luo Rucai and Wanwen Mountain, and returned in vain.

Xu Liang's recruits have not yet been trained, and Xu Liang is not capable of another expedition to Turpan. So the battle was consumed.

On the sixteenth day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Chongzhen, the reply letter of Jingshi Qingyiwei was finally sent back to the yamen of the governor of Shaanxi, Xu Liang pinched a thick letter, and it took a full two quarters of an hour to read it, and then sighed: "Sun Chengzong, Sun Chengzong, why did you jump out?!" ”

Tsing Yiwei's report is written in detail, originally the court and the central government on whether to meet the Shaanxi governor Yamen put forward the unreasonable requirements of the pursuit of the king of Qin, there is considerable controversy, but the long-term dormant in Liaodong guest minister Sun Chengzong suddenly came to the capital, but entered the palace and talked with the emperor for a while, and then the next day the palace even issued several holy decrees, one is to seal the Xufu lady Feng Shi as the fourth grade of the order of the lady, the joint reading of Ciqing Palace. The other is about the adjustment of the original Xi'an governor, and the other is about the will of posthumously crowning Zhu Cunshu, the king of Qin, as the prince of Qin.

In just one day, Emperor Chongzhen issued three holy decrees in a row, and they all had a great relationship with Xu Liang!

This practice has made Xu Liang uneasy. Xu Liang intuitively felt that the reason why Emperor Chongzhen was able to make such a big change was because Sun Chengzong, the cabinet minister and governor of Liaodong, made a trip to the palace and broke a big thing.

However, due to the extreme secrecy between the monarch and the ministers that time, to this day, Xu Liang's people still can't find out, what kind of conspiracy Emperor Chongzhen is engaged in! (To be continued.) )