20,000 taels of silver is not a small amount, and Xu Liang can't afford to pay this money, but he is a little unwilling in his heart. However, the matter of salt introduction cannot be delayed, and if it is delayed, it will lose a day's income.

Although with Xu Liang's current power, even if he has the courage to sell illicit salt, it is estimated that there is no one on the ground in Shaanxi who will not open his eyes to trouble. However, in this way, Xu Liang's appearance of collecting money is inevitably ugly.

sullenly ordered Feng Suqin to withdraw 20,000 taels of silver from the account room of Xu's mansion and send it to Huang Daozhou, Xu Liang was not in a good mood for a few days. Even with the battle report of He Huchen and others winning consecutive battles on the front line, Xu Liang looked much less excited.

Until that day comes.

On April 28 of the second year of Chongzhen, the weather was sunny and everything was suitable.

The will of the court finally came down to Pingliang Mansion.

Pingliang knew Xu Liang with him, guarded Pingliang, and made meritorious contributions to suppressing the people's army, and was promoted to the prefect of Pingliang. The generals who participated in the war had their own rewards.

The messenger was a middle-aged eunuch of the celebrant eunuch, about thirty years old, full of wind and dust, looking a little wooden, but he had a very atmospheric name, surnamed Du, a name. Du volume, belly volume?

In the yamen of the Pingliang prefect's mansion, Xu Liang and other officials of the prefect's yamen respectfully received the decree, and were about to get up with a smile, when they suddenly saw Du's father-in-law take out another volume of yellow silk from his arms, and read aloud: "Shaanxi political participation Hong Chengchou receives the decree......"

Xu Liang and the others knew that although Du's father-in-law preached two holy decrees by himself.

Shaanxi participated in politics Hong Chengchou and was promoted to governor of Shaanxi.

The public's attention soon shifted from Xu Liang to Hong Chengchou. There is no way, the weight of the head of a province and the prefect of a province is naturally not the same.

The officials in the prefect's yamen were busy surrounding Hong Chengchou and Xu Liang and saying hello again and again. Since Xu Liang has been promoted to the prefect of Pingliang. officially became the owner of Pingliang Mansion, and immediately politely welcomed Du Liangdu's father-in-law into the main hall. ordered someone to serve tea and snacks, and stuffed two letters of silver without a trace. Du's face suddenly became a lot more vivid.

At this moment, Xu Liang finally became promoted and became the leader of Pingliang Mansion, not to mention his own joy, what surprised Xu Liang even more was that the old superior Hong Chengchou actually jumped to become the governor of Shaanxi and the head of a province, which is gratifying.

Although Hong Chengchou, uh. It should be Hong Zhongcheng now, although Hong Zhongcheng and Huang Daozhou took 20,000 taels of silver from Xu Liang a few days ago, but for the sake of Xu Liang's promotion to the prefect of Pingliang, of course, more importantly, Hong Chengchou's promotion to the governor of Shaanxi, Xu Liang decided to forgive Governor Hong and Huang Tuiguan for the time being.

In the next three or four days, Pingliang City was very lively, and Pingliang Mansion and surrounding prefectures and counties learned that Hong Chengchou had been quietly promoted to the governor of Shaanxi. They rushed over to pay a visit, and they were familiar with each other by the way.

Of course, when the officials visited Governor Hong, most of them had to congratulate Xu Liang by the way. It's just that judging from the thick book of the gift list, Xu Liang feels that most of them are gifts, like weighing a pound of pork in the vegetable field. The two pigs piggyback on by the shopkeeper went into the water. Although the words were rough, Xu Liang felt very appropriate.

Xu Liang was a little sad. simply gave up the prefect's yamen to the newly appointed governor of Shaanxi, Hong Chengchou, and hid in the Xu Mansion by himself. Out of sight, out of mind.

Fortunately, Governor Hong didn't plan to stay in Pingliang Mansion all the time. The Yamen of the governor of Shaanxi is in Xi'an Mansion, and now the civilian army of Fengxiang Mansion has been completely driven to Hanzhong Mansion by the official army, and Fengxiang Mansion is the world of the Ming army. At the beginning of Governor Hong's tenure, there were many things, such as army supplies, military rations, pensions for soldiers killed in battle, replenishment of vacant officials, and resettlement of the people in distress.

On the fifth day after Duke Du announced his decree in Pingliang, the honor guard of the governor of Xi'an Mansion rushed to Pingliang Mansion to welcome Governor Hong back to Xi'an Mansion.

Xu Liang took a group of officials from Pingliang Mansion to send Governor Hong out of the city.

At the east gate of Pingliang City, Xu Liang and Governor Hong said goodbye to each other, and their eyes intentionally or unintentionally aimed at the three carriages in the governor's honor guard.

Governor Hong's face was slightly red, he coughed lightly in embarrassment, pulled Xu Liang aside, and sighed with emotion: "Guozhong, you and I are not shallow, and we don't even have a promotion apart." Now that you are the prefect of Pingliang, what are your plans for the direction of the government in the future? ”

In a few days, many officials from the surrounding prefectures and counties of Pingliang Mansion came to visit, and Hong Chengchou faintly had the momentum of the superior in just a few days, with a calm demeanor and a majestic tone.

Xu Liang glanced at the three carriages again, pouted and said: "After Lord Zhongcheng allocates the salt required by Xiaguan in place, Xiaguan has decided to unite with the big and small businessmen of Pingliang Mansion to vigorously develop the well salt business, make Shaanxi's well salt business bigger and stronger, and strive to bring the tax revenue level of Pingliang Mansion to a new level." ”

"Ahem...... Governor Hong choked several times, coughed again and again, and admonished earnestly: "National loyalty, the rule of a government, the people's households, taxes, city defense, education, agriculture, everything must not be wasted, of course, the development of the well salt business, is also a way." ”

Xu Liang looked at Governor Hong with a very sincere eye and asked, "When does the Governor plan to finish the matter of Yanyin?" ”

Governor Hong waved his hand very confidently and said: "Now that this official is the head of a province, a little salt is introduced, and the matter of this official will deliver a sentence to the household department, uh, Guozhong, what are you doing watching this official do like this?" ”

Xu Liang's eyes were very hurt, and he asked worriedly: "Did Lord Hong already know that the court was going to promote you to the governor of Shaanxi, so that he dared to take care of the matter of salt introduction?" ”

Governor Hong's old face turned red, and he looked at him left and right, "Speaking of which, Guozhong, do you know that in fact, the candidate for the governor of Shaanxi should be yours." ”

"Huh? Why is that? ”

Governor Hong leaned into Xu Liang's ear and whispered, "This qiē has to thank the governor of the three sides, Wu Zhiwang. Before Lord Wu left, he made a break to the court, recommending this official as the governor of Yansui and Guozhong as the governor of Shaanxi, but for some reason, in the end I became the governor of Shaanxi, and Xu Liang was only promoted to the prefect of Pingliang. ”

Xu Liang was stunned. Since Governor Wu committed suicide, Xu Liang has not heard of Wu Zhiwang's name for a long time, and he never thought of it. Before Wu Zhiwang died, he actually made the last effort for himself and Hong Chengchou's career.

Xu Liang's nose was sour, and he sighed: "Governor Wu's love for his subordinates. The lower officials have nothing to repay. ”

"Yes," Governor Hong was also emotional. With red eyes, he looked at the north and said worriedly: "The excerpt that asked for the posthumous title of Governor Wu has already gone to the Beijing Division, and now that even the appointment of you and me has been issued, why is there no news of Governor Wu?" ”

Xu Liang was gloomy, although Xu Liang thought that he could walk sideways in Pingliang Mansion, but Xu Liang was still very unfamiliar with those high-ranking officials and nobles in Beijing, and wanted to shout for Governor Wu. I couldn't find a way.

Governor Hong said to Xu Liang with emotion: "Guozhong, in the final analysis, your qualifications are still shallow, and there is no support from big people in the court, and the promotion and appointment and dismissal are extremely passive. This will only be good for your future career, and there will be no harm. ”

Xu Liang was silent, and Governor Hong hit the nail on the head of Xu Liang. Xu Liang has been an official so far, from Jianchang to Zhenyuan. and then to Pingliang, although there were no dangers along the way, but after all, he was born as a person. I haven't survived the qualifications in the court, so naturally I don't have any friendship with the adults in the court.

This is a direct consequence. No matter how well Xu Liang did in the local area, no one in the DPRK and China echoed him. Xu Liang's political achievements could not reach the ears of the ministers of the court and the cabinet, so it was naturally difficult to reach the ears of Emperor Chongzhen.

In other words, Emperor Chongzhen still remembers which green onion Xu Liang is?

After these things, Xu Liang also deeply realized his shortcomings, and solemnly bowed to Governor Hong: "Lord Zhongcheng's golden and jade good words, the lower officials keep them in mind." ”

Governor Hong was very satisfied with Xu Liang's humble attitude, nodded his beard, and asked with a chuckle: "It's not early, this official is about to leave." Guozhong, is there anything else you want to say to this official? ”

Xu Liang thought about it and nodded seriously. "Yes."

Governor Hong said: "Guozhong doesn't have to be polite to the official, if there is any request, but it doesn't matter, as long as the official can meet it, try to meet it as much as possible." ”

Xu Liang looked at Governor Hong, moved to tears, and asked timidly: "My lord, the year is not good, and Xu's mansion is not rich." ”

"Hmm." Governor Hong nodded.

"When did you pay me back the 20,000 taels of silver that you blackmailed me?"

Governor Hong was stunned, and said angrily: "This official's family is not as good as one-tenth of your family, and this official has no money." ”

Xu Liang pointed to the three carriages in the governor's honor guard and said, "It is also possible to use those three carriages to pay for silver...... The lower officials suffered a little loss, and I took everything I had. ”

Governor Hong was shocked, slapped his forehead suddenly, looked up at the sky, and muttered, "It's not early, it's time to leave." With that, he ignored Xu Liang's disdainful eyes, strode into the prepared carriage, and ordered the honor guard to set off immediately.

Outside the gate of Pingliang City, the Pingliang officials suddenly saw Governor Hong jumping into the carriage in a hurry, and hurriedly set off to leave, and they didn't even have time to say a word to the Pingliang officials.

Pingliang Governor Huang Daozhou asked suspiciously: "Futai, what did you just talk to the governor?" Why is the governor in such a hurry? ”

Xu Liang took a sip lightly, squinted at Huang Tuiguan, and said coldly: "If Lord Huang owes others 20,000 taels of silver, presumably Lord Huang will run faster than him." ”

Huang Daozhou said with a smile: "Futai said that it was funny, how could the lower officials owe others money for no reason?" ”

Xu Liang snorted, "If it weren't for the fact that Lord Huang is really poor, the official would have to come back to you for the 20,000 taels of silver!" ”

Huang Daozhou was stunned at first, and then as if he remembered something, he laughed a few times, and did not dare to look at Xu Liang.

Governor Hong went back to Xi'an Mansion, and Xu Liang, who was counted in the whole Pingliang City, was respected. Xu Liang has been handling official business in the prefect's yamen for a while in the past few days, and he went to the backyard of the prefect's yamen to paced around in his spare time, looking at the ruins of the courtyard, looking at the miserable appearance of an innocent fire.

Xu Liang even moved the idea of repairing the backyard of the government again. Excitedly called Lu Tongzhi, Huang Tuiguan and others to the second hall room, and said this great idea to the two right-hand men with great interest, however, Xu Liang was frustrated.

Because, Lu Tongzhi and Huang Tuiguan's heads shook like rattles, and 110,000 disagreed.

Huang Tuiguan cried with a sad face, and almost burst into tears, "Lord Xu, if it weren't for the lower officials and others who deliberately stopped you and didn't give you a backyard, there was really no money in the prefect's yamen." Have you forgotten that the money for the grain and grass that they led to the expedition was borrowed from the merchants and wealthy families in the city last time? You also paid 20,000 taels of silver? Besides, the wages for repairing the garden last time were still owed to Liu Yuanwai, and they have been dragging it out and not paying it......"

Xu Liang listened, was silent for a long time, and sighed gloomily: "This official took office, and the first time he asked you for money, you knew that he would cry poor for this official!" It's not good to say. ”

Lu Tongzhi and Huang Tuiguan both sneered, "My lord, forgive me, there is indeed no money in the government." ”

Xu Liang frowned and thought for a while, and suddenly asked Huang Tuiguan: "Who is in charge of the Taxation Bureau now?" ”

"My lord, the Taxation Bureau turned out to be the master of the former governor Liu Zhilun, and that Master Lu was in charge, but now Master Lu has hung up his crown, and the Taxation Bureau has not had time to appoint a new director, and it has been managed by the lower officials for a while."

Xu Liang stared at him, the corners of his mouth twitched, and asked faintly: "This month's sharp silver should also be collected, right?" ”

Huang Daozhou suddenly subconsciously clenched his pockets, guarding against Xu Liang like a thief, "My lord, you can't use this silver." There are hundreds of people in the yamen at all levels in Pingliang Mansion, but they all rely on this silver to support their families. ”

Xu Liang sneered and said: "Lord Huang, you are also an official, the monthly wartime tax is not a small amount, and it is impossible to use up all the money if you give money to the officials of the Yamen of the Imperial Palace, right?" It can be evenly distributed. ”

Huang Tuiguan smiled even more bitterly, and arched his hand towards Xu Liang and said: "My lord of Futai, you don't always know that firewood and rice are expensive, and there are many places to use money in Pingliang Mansion." The people's army captured Lingtai County, looted in the city, many city walls in Lingtai County were destroyed, and the newly arrived Lingtai County ran to the government several times to complain, asking for money to repair the city wall, and the lower officials could not come up with the silver. ”

Xu Liang listened, but sighed incessantly. finally became the real prefect of Pingliang, and originally wanted to shake it majestically, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be a poor stall!

It's a hard life!

Xu Liang sighed, and was about to send Lu Tongzhi and Huang Tuiguan back, when he suddenly saw a servant running in with an excited face, and arched his hand towards Xu Liang: "Lord Yufutai, the reinforcements from the court, the reinforcements have arrived!" ”

The three people in the second hall were suddenly shocked, and then they were overjoyed, Huang Daozhou was so moved that his tears were about to fall, and he sighed facing the north: "The court, it can be regarded as sending reinforcements." ”

Xu Liang asked, "Where are the reinforcements?" Which general leads the troops? ”

The official was dumbfounded, he patronized the news, and forgot to inquire clearly! Suddenly, the officer's eyes lit up, and he pointed to the three majestic sergeants who walked side by side at the entrance of the second hall, and the sergeants were dressed as officers and soldiers of the guard.

One of them stepped forward, glanced at the three people in the second hall with the eyes of the high eunuch, straightened his chest, and raised his head and shouted, "Which one is the new Pingliang Prefect Xu Liangxu?" ”

In fact, there are three people in the house, and Xu Liang is wearing a crimson official robe, such a distinctive feature, even if it is a pig, he should know that Xu Liang's identity is extraordinary.

The sergeant was arrogant, Xu Liang was displeased in his heart, frowned at the three people, and shouted in a deep voice: "This official is." ”

The sergeant's head was held higher, as if he was ordering his subordinates, and Yi pointed out angrily: "On the order of General Wang Puwang, the chief officer of the Beijing camp, I ordered Pingliang Mansion to prepare enough dry food and silver, and early tomorrow morning, go to the barracks to reward the court reinforcements from afar!" ”

When Xu Liang heard this, his lungs were about to explode, and he slammed the table and scolded: "Presumptuous! (To be continued......)