"Your Highness, there's urgent news from the North Side Station!" suddenly one of the guards reported.

Say. Ning Wanjun nodded.

"The spies found that the Shenzhou army had left the garrison this morning and marched towards the west in a group!"

The news immediately caused an uproar in the crowd.

"They're going to support the western border!" He Guicai slapped the fan in his hand, "Is Leizhou no longer able to defend it by relying on the local border army alone?"

The princess couldn't help but bite her lip.

Xia Fan noticed this detail, "What's going on?" According to reason, this situation in Qiguo is definitely good news for Ning Wanjun's goal. The weaker the strength of the dynasty, the smaller the threat to Shenzhou, but the other party's expression seems to be quite anxious.

"I ...... A partner who is also a teacher and a friend served in the Leizhou Border Army. Ning Wanjun hesitated for a moment before saying, "With him sitting in the western realm, it shouldn't be possible for Gao Guo to enter the hinterland of Leizhou." I had already made an appointment with him, and if Jin Xia got into trouble, he would also respond in Leizhou, but now ......"

"Your Highness—"

As soon as Xia Fan opened his mouth, he was interrupted by her. "I know, I know it. I'm worried here that nothing will change what has happened, and if the border army is still around, he will definitely let me know. If the border army has been defeated, he should also be able to survive on his own. I have to focus on what's in front of me. ”

Ning Wanjun regained her spirit as she spoke, "Staff Officer He, what do you think of the situation in the west?"

"The border army is in danger!" Since most of the princess's team came from the border army, their faces were more serious, and He Guicai said bluntly, "The appearance of refugees means that Leizhou has lost its townships and counties. The Gao army could threaten these places, and must have crossed the slope ditch to the brownstone beach area. It was supposed to be the home of the border army, and Gao Guo had not been able to break through this line of defense for more than a decade. Now that the defense line is lost, the imperial court has also mobilized the support of the Shenzhou army, and the general is there...... Something must have gone terribly wrong!"

"What about the others?

No one objected.

In that case, let's talk about how Jin Xia should take advantage of this situation. The princess stood up and said, "First of all, I will put my words in front, it is impossible for us to support the border army, neither the troops nor the logistics support our intervention in the war in Leizhou." ”

Xia Fan couldn't help but glance at the other party more.

She had obviously been worried about her partner's situation, but when it came time to get down to business, she had completely suppressed her unnecessary emotions. In the position of commander of the First Army, Ning Wanjun is undoubtedly competent.

"The lowly office thinks so. Xu San nodded and said, "I suggest sending a scout team to Leizhou to inquire about the situation, and by the way, you can also get more information from the refugees." ”

"Yes. The princess replied briefly.

"As for Jinxia City...... Our army may be able to take advantage of the departure of the Shenzhou army to take another one or two territories. Xu Guerrilla continued, "Dacheng is not good, but the county seat or township should be fine." Now that Leizhou is in chaos, the imperial court will definitely not take care of us, as long as the news is blocked and traffic is banned, it is not difficult to hide it for half a year. ”

"No, I can't. Xia Fan couldn't help but blurt out.

"Lord Xia, why?" asked Xu Guerrilla.

"That's not governance, it's occupation. Lockdowns spread panic among the population and require a large number of people to be on permanent duty. If the locals don't cooperate, or if they resist, we won't get much in half a year. ”

The other party's set is probably often used at the border, Xia Fan said in his heart, for those scattered settlements, it can maximize the looting of materials, but if it is put in Shenzhou, it will do more harm than good.

"I agree with Xia Fucheng's point of view. Staff Officer He opened his mouth to help, "To be honest, since repelling the attack of Dongshengguo, it is not difficult for the army to do anything, some things that require the cooperation of the people can be done with a hello, and the remuneration can be put to the back and then paid, this is the first time I have encountered this situation." Now I really believe that what Xia Fucheng said about 'New Jinxia' is not a lie, and if we can, I think we should treat it the same in other places in Shenzhou. ”

"How can there be such a good thing. Xu Sanzhong frowned, "If it weren't for the fact that the Haikou incident caused a vacuum in the power of the government, it is really hard to say whether this comprehensive affairs bureau could be built." I naturally know that winning the hearts and minds of the people is a good thing, but how can those magistrates watch us divide power?"

"This ...... Why don't we focus on Jinxia City itself first?"

"And then let go of this rare opportunity?" he arched his hand towards the princess, "and there is no reluctance to be unwilling. ”

"General Xu, how long will the Shenzhou Army come back after this trip?" Xia Fan asked him.

"If the army doesn't move lightly, it will take three or four months to leave. Xu Sanzhong had obviously thought about this question, "As soon as December arrives, there is a possibility of snow in the west at any time. If it were not an emergency, the Shenzhou army would not choose to march long distances at such a time. Relying on the big city for supplies and waiting for the weather to warm up before setting off for Shenzhou is the safest option. Of course, all of this is based on the fact that the war is going well, and if Gao Guo is a little more difficult......"

That means that Shenzhou will usher in a fairly long gap.

It's no wonder that he is reluctant to sit in Jin Xiakong and wait.

Xia Fan pondered for a moment, then turned to the princess and said, "You may be able to think differently and not rely on the army to complete the expansion. ”

"How is that possible?" Ning Wanjun wondered, "Those local officials won't listen to my orders. ”

"My thoughts are...... Let the Privy Council go first. Xia Fan organized the speech, "If it is not a state capital, there will be no privy council, so these places only have contact points, or nothing. If the Privy Council of Jinxia City wants to expand its influence, it is not a violation of any prohibition to open branches in other towns and even townships and counties. ”

The reason for setting up a privy council only in the state capital is very simple, first, it costs money, second, there are not so many questions and tests to be dispatched, and the alchemists do not interfere in the governance of local affairs, so there is no need to apportion.

But Shangyuan City has never said that this is not allowed.

"—But what you want to set up is not a branch of the Privy Council, but a general affairs bureau?" He Guicai's eyes lit up, and the fan in his hand stopped, "If you use the name of preventing evil spirits, whether it is registration, publicity, or assistance, you can quickly increase Jin Xia's influence." ”

"That's really the main idea. Xia Fan agreed, "Winter is a difficult season for ordinary people, and I believe there is no shortage of good opportunities to increase fame." The army was not unnecessary, as the Privy Council simply did not have enough alchemists to sit in various places, so whether it was dealing with small evil cults or deterring local smugglers, an armed force was needed to deal with them. ”

"In addition, I do not intend to release only the civil department, the Privy Council should still do its duty to destroy the evil spirit, or the source of the evil spirit. Speaking of this, his voice deepened, "I wonder how many officials dare to say that they are honest and upright, and have never violated the laws of the Great Apocalypse? If they are just imprisoned and reported to Gyeonggi for disposal, it can be regarded as reasonable and conscientious in their duties, right?"

Even if the above does not agree with Jin Xiacheng's approach, it is not good to continue to restore tainted officials. Once the ministry is reassigned, the gap between this period will be enough for the bureau to take over the functions of the government.