Wu Yong was already anxious to go to Jinan. But Zhengjiazhuang is Long Qian's old nest, and for the sake of face, Wu Zhifu still followed Long Qian under the escort of dozens of cavalry, ran a hundred and ten miles of mountain roads, and came to the Mengshan Army, the headquarters of the right wing of the current Weisheng Army.

I think I have known Long Qian for a long time, and I have experienced escorting the two palaces to the west together, and going to Beijing together to assist Li Hongzhang in negotiating the aftermath, so it should be said that I know each other very well. But Wu Yong found that the mystery on Long Qian was even deeper.

Although he knew that Long Qian was born in Xiangma, and the mountain village of Zhengjiazhuang was the Zhuangzi where Long Qian was entrenched when he was a Xiangma, Wu Yong still did not expect that the villagers were unusually enthusiastic about Long Qian's return - more and more villagers poured into the streets, shouting Commander Long, like parents welcoming a wanderer who had returned from a long absence, and like a daughter looking forward to returning a loving father. On this kind of occasion, Wu Yong not only had never seen it, but he had never even heard of it.

And Long Qian entered Zhaojialou, where the senior officers of the Mengshan Army were already waiting, from Zhou Yi down, Song Jinguo, Feng Guozhu, Deng Qinghua, Sheng Guang and other main officers of the left-behind troops, as well as Lu Shan, Feng Lun, Ye Yanbing, Shi Dashou, etc., who followed Long Qian's expedition, were already waiting there. Except for Ning Shijun, who was sick and resting, almost all of them came out to greet him.

"Guarding my hometown and making me have no worries is all thanks to you, Brother Zhou." Long Qian held Zhou Yi's hand tightly.

"Brother Guozhu, after this battle, Lunan's Xiangma will flee when they hear your name, which will bring a lot of trouble to our next bandits. Ha Lu Ha. Long Qian patted Feng Guozhu's back vigorously.

"Old Song has lost weight, how did you do it? Isn't there enough money to spend? Or did Deputy Commander Zhou and Guozhu give you a big problem? Long Qian shook Song Jinguo's hand vigorously.

It was another scene that made Wu Yongpu. When he followed Li Hongzhang. It's not that I haven't been to the barracks. There is definitely no degree of harmony between the upper and lower levels in Long Qian's army.

After hugging and greeting these comrades-in-arms, Long Qian introduced Wu Yong to Zhou Yi and others who stayed in Zhengjiazhuang. Then Long Qian stopped riding a horse and walked through the village, greeting the villagers he knew, shouting and asking for warmth, and the scene surprised Wu Yongshen - he was a bandit who robbed his house at that time, why were these people so enthusiastic? It's weird!

"The people are like this, as long as you do a little good to them, they will remember you__" Long Qian said to Wu Yong beside him.

"Wu really didn't expect that the town guard would be so popular with the people__" Wu Yong sighed.

"It's just a dozen villages nearby. Wu Fuzun. You can too. The folk customs are simple. The hardship of the people's livelihood is the opportunity for you and me to use our means to serve the court. ”

After walking about ten miles, I arrived at Chenjiaya. The people had already poured out of the Nanzhai Gate, which had been blown down by Tao San's men, to greet Long Qian.

"Folks. Hello there. Am I not coming back? It doesn't matter if the gate collapses, let's fix it. Moreover, no one will attack our Zhuangzi in the future! Long Qian finished speaking. Seeing Chen Chao at a glance, he walked over, "Mr. Chen is fine, you have worked hard during this time." ”

"Hey, hey, when you come back, everyone will have the backbone." Chen Chao was a little excited.

"A few days ago, I attacked Zhuangzi with calves, and I didn't hurt the villagers, right?"

"Except for the casualties of our team, the people in the village are not injured, it is this wall__"

"If only it didn't hurt anyone. The matter of the walled wall is easy to do. By the way, everything is at home, okay? ”

"Okay, okay." Chen Chao remembered Chen Shu, but he didn't know where this girl went.

"Let's go, let's go to the headquarters, there are a lot of things to discuss. Hey, I almost forgot, this is Lord Wu Yong, the prefect of Yanzhou, and he is a good friend of mine. Lao Wu, Mr. Chen is the owner of this Zhuangzi, helping the needy, and he is a real pure Confucian. ”

"The grass people have seen the prefect." Chen Chao gave a deep salute.

"Don't dare, don't dare, it's an honor for Wu to get to know Mr. Chen." It can be seen that Long Qian has a lot of respect for this squire, and Wu Yong naturally can't put up a fight.

When the people heard Wu Yong's identity, they were even more surprised. In a mountain village like Chenjiaya, the villagers will never see the county order in their lives, let alone the prefect. Look at Commander Long's face, the dignified prefect, following behind like a scholar.

The warm welcome scene went all the way to the Zheng family's mansion.

"I didn't expect this guy to be so popular with the people. No wonder they can defeat Lord Yuan's small station new army__" Wu Yong said secretly.

"Lord Wu, brothers, the situation has changed in the past six months, and it is rare for us to sit together again. Today is not only a reunion of brothers, but also a reception for our parents. Old Song, you have to take out the best things. Long Qian sat down and looked at the officers who had packed a room with a smile, "Ah, I almost forgot." I heard that Deputy Commander Zhou got a beautiful daughter, and I don't know if the gift I prepared is in line with my little niece's mind, Ha Lu, Xiao Lu, what about that thing? ”

Lu Guangda took out a small sandalwood box, glanced at Long Qian, and handed the box to Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi was about to open it, "Slow, don't look at it now." Take it back to show your wife and daughter. Ha Lu Ha. ”

For the officers of the Mengshan Army and the squires such as Chen Chao, who was completely integrated into the Mengshan Army system, Wu Yong was undoubtedly an outsider. Therefore, everyone avoided talking about sensitive topics, and just said something irrelevant about the annihilation of Tao Sanbu. Long Qian introduced the situation of Zhengjiazhuang to Wu Yong, "Wu Fuzun, although Zhengjiazhuang is not under your rule, you are different from others. We are comrades-in-arms from birth to death, and we have lived a friendship, this is your home, don't save your regional views. ”

"Don't dare. Wu is very happy today......"

was chatting, and a report came from outside, saying that Tang Shaoyi, the new governor of Yizhou, had arrived.

"Ha Luha, it's a good day today, Tang Shaochuan is also here. Let's go, let's greet my parents. Long Qian was overjoyed.

Long Qian and the others greeted out of the house, Tang Shaoyi had already entered the courtyard, and without waiting for Long Qian to speak, "Shaoyi has seen the town guard. ”

"Ha Luha, my big brother Tang, aren't you breaking my life? By the way, this Wu Yong and Wu Yongchuan are the prefects of Yanzhou, you two neighbors, you should be affectionate and affectionate today. ”

Wu Yong didn't expect Long Qian and Tang Shaoyi to be so familiar. So, the two prefects greeted each other. A little polite.

"Brother Yongchuan doesn't know. Tang Fuzun and I are also friends on the battlefield. When I ambushed the multinational coalition forces in Xigu, Mr. Tang was always with me. Ha Luha, in a blink of an eye, more than half a year has passed, Brother Shaochuan, you are blessed. ”

"That's the light of the old brother's platform. Ha Lu Ha. When Lord Yuan heard that the town guard had returned to Lu, he specially instructed Tang to come to Zhengjiazhuang to pay a visit and listen to the adult's advice. Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived in Yizhou, before his ass sat firmly, the news came that Commander Long had broken the calf. It's really famous. Famous generals are out of the horse, and the ugly group is tied up. Ha Lu Ha, Ha Lu Ha. Compared with Wu Yong, Tang Shaoyi is eloquent. It's a one-time choice. Laughing. It's quite anti-customer-oriented.

"Governor Tang seems to be very familiar with this side." Wu Yong watched Tang Shaoyi greet the generals of the Mengshan Army. Got the opportunity and raised his own questions.

"That's right, Tang came here last year. I'm friends with all the generals. Tang Shaoyi said with a smile, "Tang was still worried about everyone's northern expedition before, but who knew that as soon as General Lu Daolong arrived in Tianjin, he hit more with less and won the famous Xigu victory that shocked the whole country." When the news reached Jinan, Yuan Futai was amazed, and even said that the Qinwang detachment had won glory for Shandong, and General Long was worthy of being a world-famous general. This time, Tang was sent to Yizhou, which was to assist General Long to eliminate bandits and govern the place. No, as soon as the town guard army arrived, he took the calf that had been suffering from Lunan for decades. The people of Yizhou are very happy, and they want to set up an ancestral hall for you. ”

"That's a curse on me. Brother Shaochuan deceived me into growing up overseas and did not study national history. Wei Zhongxian was full of ancestral halls, and he almost ended up in Ling Chi. If you let the people under your rule set up a shrine for me, didn't you curse me not to die well? Long Qian pretended to be angry.

"The subordinate has lost his word." Tang Shaoyi didn't expect Long Qian to react sharply, "The people of Yizhou have been suffering from bandits for a long time, and their gratitude to the town guard is from the heart__"

Long Qian interrupted Tang Shaoyi's defense, "Brother Shaochuan, it's not brotherly hypocrisy. In my opinion, the commander is important for the victory of the campaign, but the ordinary soldier is the decisive factor. This is true for resisting foreign aggression, and it is also true for exterminating bandits. Without a large number of hard-working and courageous soldiers, no battle would have been fought. Therefore, if you want to be grateful, the most important thing to be grateful for is the officers and soldiers who gave their lives for the victory of the battle! When he came back this time, Long decided to build a monument in the square of Zhengjiazhuang, that is, on the vacant land in front of the Zheng family ancestral hall. To commemorate our army's trip to Gyeonggi and to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the heroic resistance to the Eight-Nation Alliance's war of aggression against China! Let their hometown fathers and their descendants always remember their merits and glory! ”

Wu Yong and Tang Shaoyi were solemn. Long Qian continued, "This time I led the army back to Lunan, I am happy, fearful, and worried. I don't need to say more, I finally didn't insult Lord Yuan's trust and won glory for my Shandong army. I'm afraid, more than 400 Lunan children are buried on the battlefield, I don't know how to face the families of the martyrs who died bravely on the battlefield against foreign aggression. Unexpectedly, Long came back and was so warmly welcomed by the villagers, which made Long feel guilty! The two prefects, even if they give heavy pensions to the families who have lost their sons, their sons will never come back! This debt is owed by the state to the people, how should it be repaid? The last thing is sorrow. It just so happens that both of them are here, what are the brothers worried about? It's how to build Lunan well! When leaving Taiyuan, he was summoned by the Queen Mother, and Brother Yongchuan was also present. How to do it well? The imperial court has made up its mind to implement a new policy, enriching the country and strengthening the army. The decree was sent to the governors of the provinces to solicit their views on the implementation of the new policy. Our Lord Futai is a handsome man for a while, and naturally has an extremely clever deployment. But I must not sit back and wait, or use the barren and poor people in southern Lunan as an excuse to make any special exceptions. The brother's plan is to take the lead in Lunan to reform the old and break the old habits, vigorously develop the economy, and improve the people's livelihood. The brother is a martial artist, and the matter of suppressing bandits does not need to be worried about the two of them. The matter of military training, the brothers have already made a decision. But this economic way, the brothers are in the fog, and the laymen are very good. In this regard, it is necessary for the two of them to make more plans, and to come up with a general charter as soon as possible, and then report it to the governor's yamen for rapid implementation. ”

Tang Shaoyi and Wu Yong glanced at each other, and this entered the role, and the order had come down.

"Subordinates receive orders." Tang Shaoyi stood up and bowed his hand to Long Qian, "Lord Long's words made Tang feel emotional. Although the acquaintance is not long, the town guard makes the great talent, and Tang knows it well. How to implement the new policy, I hope that the town guard will make it clear. ”

"Exactly, my subordinates are listening." Wu Yong also stood up.

"Ha Luha, this is my army. Long Moujie Wufu, speaks straight, and doesn't know how to detour. As courtiers, we must be loyal to the king's affairs and be diligent and honest. It is also necessary to understand the original intention of the imperial court and have the courage to be the first. The core of the new deal, which should be seen by Long, is to develop the economy, increase tax revenue, organize and strengthen the army, and consolidate China's national defense. Thinking along these lines, economic development is the foundation, and strengthening the country and the army is the goal. Looking at all the countries in the world, there is no country that is not rich but the army is strong. Therefore, we must base ourselves on the reality of Lunan, earnestly grasp the advantages and shortcomings of Lunan, make use of its strong points and avoid its weaknesses, and formulate a series of policies to encourage industry and commerce and improve agriculture. At the same time, redundant personnel will be eliminated and the burden on the people will be reduced. I think the key to how to do it is people, and without an efficient and honest team of officials, nothing can be done. Therefore, we might as well start with ourselves, put down the shelf of the official master, go deep into the rural towns in a down-to-earth manner, and do detailed investigation and research. Listening to the opinions of the people with an open mind, the best way is hidden in the hearts of the gentry and merchants. Confucianism may think that the upper wisdom and the lower foolishness are unswerving. What do mud legs know? I don't see it that way. For example, to increase the yield of grain per mu, I think you two can't think of a reason even if you want to break your head. He who knows how to farm must be a farmer; Those who know how to work must be craftsmen; Whoever knows how to do business must be a businessman. We, the people, are to create an environment suitable for their development! Isn't that the truth? Some people may think that the New Deal is not a copy of the Westernization Movement? The Westernization Movement has been carried out for decades, exhausted the people's manpower, and has it not failed in the end? I think there is nothing wrong with the Westernization movement, but the people who handle the Westernization are at fault. For example, if you run a factory, if you are an official and can't run a company, you must let the investor find someone who knows how to manage it. For example, you Wu Yongchuan, you must be proficient in reading the Four Books and Five Classics, but Confucius and Mengfuzi did not give you how to run a company. As far as I know, whether it is Nanyang or Beiyang, how can there be an invincible reason to use some bureaucrats to run companies and enterprises? The government should not take care of these things, the government should not care, that is, the enterprises do not care, that is, the farmers do not care. When a businessman runs a hotel, let's go repair a public toilet. When a businessman opens a factory, let's go and build roads. That's what I'm advocating. ”

Tang Shaoyi was stunned for a while, recalling Long Qian's words, "It's really unheard of, and it makes Wu Mao suddenly open." ”

"By the way, the two prefects, the new policy must have a new atmosphere. Let's start with the easy ones. When I was in Yixian, I noticed that the county seat was so dirty that the sewage flowed sideways after the snow melted, and it was impossible for people to settle down. Brother Shaochuan has stayed in the ocean, and he must have made a comparison between China and foreign countries. The most obvious is that people's cities are orderly, civilized and hygienic, and we have many bad habits that need to be vigorously improved. When the two of them return to the office, they can start from the state capital, learn from the strengths of foreigners, and change our problems. The state government is done, bring the county officials to the capital city to visit and study, and you have to be a model. ”

"Be taught." Tang Shaoyi gave a deep salute, "Tang is convinced that there are adults sitting in Lunan, and Lunan's new policy will be a model for the whole country." ”

"Ha Lu Ha, the model doesn't dare to brag. But we must make the people feel that their lives have changed and that their lives are rushing. We, the officials who eat the people's offerings, can live up to our conscience. Oops, it's been a long time, it's time to eat. Let's have a reunion today and have a few drinks! (To be continued......)