August 12, approaching the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a day of reunion, where families gather to worship the moon god and eat moon cakes, and many businessmen who are doing business abroad will rush home to reunite with their families as long as they have time.

But on this day, Quanzhou does not know how many families cannot enjoy the joy of reunion.

On the north side of Quanzhou Bay, a few miles north of Jinjiang No. 3 Salt Farm, it is inaccessible, and the people who originally lived here have been moved away and become a military camp.

At midnight, the golden scales were swaying with endless light and heat, and the two battalions of a full 1,000 soldiers and 200 auxiliaries boarded the new warships docked on the dock one after another.

Twenty zhang long, the widest part of the hull can reach four zhang.

Wang Chong and Zhizhou Chen Jun came to see each other off in person, and after saying some exciting and morale-boosting words, they ate candied wine with Gu Er and a group of soldiers, and watched Gu Er lead a group of soldiers to board the warship, and Chen Jun, who had no bottom in his heart, couldn't help but look at Wang Chong next to him.

"Brother Zihou, let's really wipe out those pirates with such a big fight?"

Wang Chong looked at Chen Jun with a smile and said: "Ming Gong Mingjian, as long as the sea trade exists for a day, pirates will never be able to put an end to it, who doesn't want to do a business without capital?" ”

"Hey!" Chen Jun sighed and said helplessly: "People's hearts! ”

Wang Chongdao: "That's why we have to educate and educate." ”

Chen Jun closed his eyes and shook his head with a bitter smile.

Time passed day by day, and there were several good news from Gu Er's side one after another, but in seven or eight days, two groups of pirates had been wiped out, and I didn't know how much loot had been captured.

Zhizhou Chen Jun's face was full of happiness, compared to the contrast before the departure of the army.

But the most important thing is that the maritime merchants in Quanzhou know that the government sent troops to the sea to chase and suppress the news of pirates, and the dark clouds that originally hung on their faces have gradually disappeared, although they also know that pirates cannot be completely eradicated, but what they want is the attitude of the government, if the government can exterminate a group, they will take less risk.

When Gu Er's army came back, it was late September, almost October.

1,000 soldiers, nearly 100 casualties, and more than 100 wounded, mainly because many soldiers joined the army for the first time, had no experience, and the pirates were ferocious and abnormal, so there were such large casualties.

However, the results of the battle were also extremely gratifying, a total of eight groups of pirates were exterminated, more than 300 thieves were killed, more than 700 people were captured, and nearly 1,000 pirates' women and children were killed, accounting for a total of six large and small islands, and even obtained a sea route to and from the pirates to and from the Ryukyus.

Looking at the ashes of the fallen soldiers piled up in front of him, Wang Chong's mood was a little heavy: "I ordered that this time the bereaved soldiers will be doubled, and they will be exempted from taxes for two years, and their children can choose one person to be sent to school to study, and within two years, they will be completely exempted." ”

"Judge Gao Yi!" The soldiers shouted at Wang Chong.

Wang Zhong looked at everyone and said: "These soldiers are all heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country, and the court will naturally not treat them badly, and the same is true for you." ”

Zhizhou Chen Jun brought more than a dozen pigs and sheep over, and specially invited the chef of Taibai Lou to cook for the soldiers and reward the three armies.

Soldiers were born and died at sea, fighting for their lives with pirates, not seeking a wealth and wealth!

The seizures looted from the pirate's lair were piled up into a small mountain, and the military scribes had already recorded the military exploits of the soldiers, and Chen Jun personally led people to convert them into gold, silver and copper coins according to the merits recorded on the roster and distributed them to the sergeants below.

The capture on the battlefield, coupled with the rewards issued at this time, was enough for the sergeants below to buy a few acres of paddy fields, build a new house, and beg for a mother-in-law.

"One battalion, two degrees, five teams, Chen Sanshui!" The scribe held the booklet and shouted loudly.

"Here!"

Chen Sanshui immediately stood up from the team.

"Behead level six, ascend twice first, and capture a pirate leader! Is there a mistake or omission? The scribe looked at Chen Sanshui and asked.

The corners of Chen Sanshui's smiling mouth were almost to the root of his ears: "There is no mistake or omission!" ”

"Thirty taels of silver, 100 copper coins, and promoted to the deputy capital! Can you have any objections? ”

"No objections! No objections! Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir! Chen Sanshui hurriedly thanked him, and the smile on his face became brighter.

"If you want to thank you, thank you Zhizhou, thank you Tongju, thank you for our general!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Alright, let's go get the reward!"

Chen Sanshui walked to the side, there were already military officials who brought out a dry reward, thirty taels of silver are all broken silver, the number is not much, you can hold it with a bag, but there are a lot of copper coins for 100 times, and the two officials use a big bamboo basket to put it down, and there is a saber for the deputy capital.

Not to mention anything else, just a whole basket of copper coins, and the sergeants next to me were envious, and their eyes lit up.

The rewards for meritorious deeds continued, and the military merits of those soldiers who unfortunately died in battle were also read out in front of all the soldiers and soldiers, and the people of their own law enforcement team in the army were sent to the homes of the fallen soldiers later.

After only one operation, these villagers returned to their hearts, and they all worked hard to look forward to the next expedition.

On the same day, Zhizhou Chen Jun held a banquet in Taibai Building to wash the dust and celebrate the achievements of the generals above the Marquis Yu in the army who returned triumphantly.

Gu Er, the leader of the army, was also the biggest contributor to this big victory, and naturally he was also praised by Zhizhou Chen Jun.

"The general's soldiers are like gods, Chen admires, I and the general judge have been played in the court, asking for merit for General Gu, and I believe that there will be a reward in the near future."

Chen Jun looked at Gu Er and became more satisfied the more he looked at it.

Wang Chong smiled and agreed: "Zhong Huai is a thousand miles, Ming Gong is Bole, there are not a few talented people in the world, but if there is no Ming Gong who has the insight to recognize the talent, and Zhong Huai is so trusted, how can Zhong Huai have the opportunity to show his strengths?" ”

"What Zihou said is extremely true, if there is no Ming Gong to support him, there will be no lower officials today!" Although he has not experienced the changes of the Gu family, Gu Er is no longer the Gu Erlang who was above the top and arrogant in the past.

Beheaded hundreds and captured more than 1,000 people, this is not a small fight, and Gu Er is also the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan, the Marquis of Ningyuan is the founding noble, he has been in the army for generations, that is, among the nobles in Bianjing, he is also the top group, his father Marquis Ningyuan, has been fighting for the imperial court for more than ten years, and he has worked hard, and the Gu family's power in the army is not small.

Chen Jun has also heard some ridiculous things about Gu Er, but he doesn't feel anything, it's just that he is young and vigorous, and he doesn't know anything, he just fell out with Gu Houye, and it's just a fighting spirit between father and son, and there is no overnight feud between father and son.

Now that Gu Er came to Quanzhou alone to join the army, he is already a prodigal son, and he has changed his ways, and now he has made such military exploits, plus he still has Wang Chong's face, Chen Jun is naturally happy to push Gu Eryi.

You can also have a good relationship with the Marquis of Ningyuan, why not?

Pushing the cup and changing the lamp, there are singers singing during the banquet, music girls stroking the piano, and dancers dancing, although they look a little corrupt, but they also present a scene of joy and happiness between the guests and the hosts.

In the northwest of Quanzhou, thousands of miles away in Bianjing City, in the imperial city, the excerpts of the princes of the court and the central government to request the establishment of the prince are piled up on the table every day, which makes Emperor Jiayou upset.

"Your Majesty! There is a good news report from Quanzhou, can Your Majesty approve it? ”

Emperor Jiayou looked at Li Neiguan, who was standing on his side, and was puzzled in his heart, and couldn't help asking, "Quanzhou?" Where did Quanzhou come from? ”

Li Neiguan said with a smile: "A few days ago, the Quanzhou Zhizhou wrote that there were pirates in the coastal areas who attacked passing ships, killed people and robbed goods, and many people have suffered misfortunes. ”

"So you won the war?" Emperor Jiayou's eyebrows were slightly raised, and his frowning brows finally appeared a little relaxed.

"According to the report of the Imperial City Division, it is indeed a victory, and it is a big victory!" Li Neiguan grasped the proportion very well, and only said that it was the news that the Imperial City Division had discovered, but he did not mention the content of the fold.

Emperor Jiayou is not unaware of the fact that there is no prince in the country, and the society is inevitably turbulent, but on the issue of choosing who to inherit the unification, Emperor Jiayou really made a difficulty, as the king of a country, he has to consider the inheritance of the throne, not the selection of an heir by a small family of the people, but the choice of an heir for the entire dynasty, for the whole world, and for the people of the world to choose a monarch.

If you are a little careless, you choose the wrong person, what will it be brought to the people of the world and the Zhao and Song dynasties, Emperor Jiayou will not dare to do so.

In the history books, examples of emperors are everywhere, so Emperor Jiayou is so entangled and can't make a decision.

In addition, there is another reason, that is, among the children of the clan today, there is no one whose character and virtue completely reassure Emperor Jiayou, and now the two most popular princes in Tokyo City.

One is King Yong, greedy and lustful, dumb and unassertive, Princess Yong is arrogant and domineering, it is not a matter of one day.

One is King Yan, who is ambitious, overdone, and privately wooed many courtiers, the key is that King Yan's temperament is a little violent, and Emperor Jiayou really doesn't like it.

Recently, there has been a rebellion in the land of Lianghuai, and the movement is not small, it is in this eventful autumn, but the ministers of the court headed by the great minister Han Zhang are also pressing on Emperor Jiayou step by step, and now it is finally possible to write a letter and Lichu without any news, or good news, Emperor Jiayou's tense heart, can finally have a trace of relaxation.

"I want to see what a big victory it is!"

Li Neiguan found out the fold and handed it to Emperor Jiayou, Emperor Jiayou opened the fold and looked at it patiently, but after looking at it for a while, his brows furrowed again.

"When did the Erlang of the Gu family go to Quanzhou? Why did he become the temporary supervisor of Quanzhou's soldiers and horses? Emperor Jiayou couldn't help but look at Li Neiguan next to him.

Li Neiguan said: "Back to Your Majesty, a few days after Gu Erlang's imperial examination failed, he fell out with his family, I heard that he was angry out of Bianjing, and before leaving, he also left down and said, do not make a name for himself, never look back at home, after Gu Ergongzi went out of Beijing, he went straight to Quanzhou, first was recommended by Wang Tongju, trained Xiangyong in Quanzhou, and then sent troops to Quanzhou to clear the pirates, Wang Tongju and Zhizhou Chen Junbao promoted him as the commander of the army. ”

Li Neiguan knew that Yang Wuren's thing was Emperor Jiayou's reverse scale, Gu Tingye was a dignified second son of Ningyuan Hou's Mansion, but because of Yang Wuyuan's unprovoked words when he was young, he touched Emperor Jiayou's reverse scale, the dragon's reverse scale, and he was angry when he touched it, Gu Tingye also fell off the list, and was also told by Emperor Jiayou that he would be the same as Yang Wudu, and he would take the exam after the age of fifty.

"He is a good man, and he can also lead the army to fight?" Emperor Jiayou was obviously prejudiced against Gu Er.

Li Neiguan said: "According to the report of the Imperial City Division, this time to clear the pirates, Gu Ergongzi commanded Ruo Ding, expected the enemy like a god, and even made a strange plan, which led to a complete victory." ”

Emperor Jiayou realized that he had some prejudice after speaking, and he had already regretted it a little, but the words came out of his mouth, and it was naturally impossible to take it back, and now when he heard Li Neiguan say this, the expression on his face changed slightly, and he nodded: "In this way, this Gu Erlang has inherited Gu Hou's ability to lead troops to fight." ”

Li Neiguan said: "The Marquis of Ningyuan has served in the army for generations, born and died for the imperial court, Gu Houye also guarded the border for more than ten years in his early years, and the eldest son of the Gu family has been weak and sick since he was a child, I heard that the second son of Gu is the only one among the children of the Gu family's generation, who has obtained the martial arts and art of war passed on by Gu Hou!" ”

Li Neiguan knew that it was not suitable for him to express his position, so he just told Emperor Jiayou what he knew word for word.

"Hey!" Emperor Jiayou sighed, his eyes were a little uncertain and looked at this performance for Gu Er, "With a group of village warriors who have never been on the battlefield, more than 360 levels have been beheaded, more than 700 pirates have been captured, more than 1,000 women, children, old and weak, and more than 100 people have been lost, and they do have some ability!" ”

"Your Majesty, there is another letter handed over by Wang Tongju, do you want to take a look at it?" Li Neiguan said suddenly.

"And the excerpts?" Emperor Jiayou was a little puzzled: "Take it and take a look." ”

Li Neiguan hurriedly took a letter without getting up and handed it to Emperor Jiayou.

Wang Chong's recital is not a lot of words, first of all, he was concerned about Emperor Jiayou's body, and then said that although he was far away in Quanzhou, he also heard that there were anti-thieves in the land of Lianghuai recently, saying that Emperor Jiayou had the virtue of Yao Shun and had the world in mind, lest Emperor Jiayou worry about the people of Lianghuai and hurt his body, so he specially recommended Gu Tingye, who has now changed his past and changed his past to temporarily replace Gu Tingye, the governor of Quanzhou, to assist in quelling the rebellion, hoping that Emperor Jiayou can give Gu Tingye a chance to serve the imperial court.

Emperor Jiayou couldn't help but smile on his face after seeing it, and pointed to the fold and said: "This prince is thick, I am afraid that I will have a mustard for Gu Erlang, and I deliberately praised me in the fold, saying that I am broad-minded, and Debi Yao Shun ······"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but shake his head and said, "In the end, he is still younger, and his thoughts are written between the lines, for fear that I won't be able to see it!" ”

Li Neiguan said: "Wang Tong sentenced the young man to be ambitious, amazing and gorgeous, but without the words and deeds of the close elders, it is inevitable that he owes a little thoughtfulness in doing things." ”

"It's really a rare talent!" Emperor Jiayou raised his head, suddenly sighed, and said in a sighy tone: "In just a few years, Quanzhou has become such a situation!" ”

"That method of drying salt is really powerful!" Li Neiguan praised.

Emperor Jiayou said: "Drying salt is just one of them, Wang Zihou also called on the people in Quanzhou to reclaim terraced fields, build water conservancy, open mountains to grow tea, gather the people, work for relief, and widely educate." ”

"In the past few years alone, there have been more than 100,000 acres of terraced fields and hundreds of tea mountains cultivated under his call, gathering tens of thousands of mountain people and displaced people······

The more Emperor Jiayou spoke, the more he sighed: "In him, I vaguely saw a little shadow of Fan Wenzhenggong in the past. ”

Li Neiguan knew that Emperor Jiayou attached great importance to Wang Chong, but he didn't expect that Emperor Jiayou's trust in Wang Chong had reached this point.

That was Fan Wenzhenggong, the leader of the Qingli New Deal in the past, and the then Prime Minister of Zaifu, who was deeply relied on by Emperor Jiayou.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to Your Majesty, and another capable minister!" Li Neiguan hurriedly congratulated Emperor Jiayou.

In fact, the situation in Quanzhou has always been paid attention to by the Imperial City Division, after all, it is a place of concern for the officials, so it is natural to report it from time to time, and many things are also known to Li Neiguan.

"It's a pity!" The smile on Emperor Jiayou's face stopped abruptly, and he sighed regretfully: "It's a pity that I'm old, I don't know how much time I have left!" ”

"Your Majesty is at the peak of Spring and Autumn ·······" Before Li Neiguan finished speaking, he was interrupted by Emperor Jiayou raising his hand.

"My body, I know it in my heart, so there is no need to say these flattering words!" Emperor Jiayou looked at the fold in his hand, and after pondering for a while, he finally said: "Send someone to the military department, let the military department reward meritorious deeds, don't neglect the meritorious heroes, and then go to the Privy Council, let the Privy Council make a will to transfer troops, let Gu Tingye, go to Lianghuai to quell the rebellion!" ”

(End of chapter)