Chapter 043: Deputy General Caojiang

Chen Cao also came back from Shandong for nearly 20 days, and although there were some small episodes on the way back, it had little impact on the whole.

On the fifth day of the fourth month, a major event was rumored on the ground in Jinling.

"Did you hear that? A large hole was blown out of the wall of Yanshenggong's house, and the wall on one side of the main gate collapsed, and a lot of feces were poured on it. ”

"Huh... Who ate the ambitious leopard and dared to do it to the Yansheng family? ”

"Hey, what's your news?" A man dressed as a wealthy businessman spoke: "A certain family has just come from Yanzhou to do business, I am afraid you don't know that the news from Qufu is caused by the thunder of the sky, and the reason is that there are people in the Yansheng family who are not virtuous, so that God punishes them." ”

"Huh..."

Chen Cao was watching the finished canned food in the workshop, Zhao Xin came quickly, and whispered in Chen Cao's ear: "My lord, Shandong Tiqi is back." ”

Chen Cao put down his things and walked out of the workshop door, and a man covered with dust saluted Chen Cao: "My lord, the matter is done, now the boundary of Yanzhou has spread, but Qufu is to the Jingshi, the emperor was furious when he found out, and ordered the Fusi of Beizhen to strictly investigate the murderer." ”

"What did you do?" Chen Cao frowned, his plan was supposed not to cause such a big movement.

I saw Zhao Xin touching his head awkwardly and laughing: "Hehe, my subordinates placed gunpowder according to the instructions of the adults, and then poured dung on the wall for them." ”

"I'll you-damn," Chen Cao kicked over when he heard this: "You bastard and?" ”

Zhao Xin didn't dare to hide, just patted his ass and smirked: "My subordinates don't want to be disgusted by these righteous gentlemen." ”

Call...

Chen Cao let out a sigh of relief: "Fortunately, Lao Tzu gave 10,000 taels of silver, Xu Xianchun will definitely turn a blind eye to Lao Tzu's so many benefits, this matter is settled, without my instructions in the future, if you throw feces at will, I will definitely kick you into the manure tank." ”

Zhao Xin was giggling and responding, and Xu Kai came first and said, "My lord, someone from the Wei State Mansion is here, please go here." ”

Chen Cao hadn't visited the Duke of Wei for a long time, but the etiquette he should have has never been left behind.

Xu Hongji asked people to hand over the official document to Chen Cao, and then said with a serious expression: "Yaozhong, the official document issued by Si Ming, the political envoy, appointed you as the deputy general of Caojiang, you also know that my Caojiang Governor is just a fictitious position, from now on, this Caojiang Shui Master will be handed over to you, you must do a good job, don't lose the face of my Wei State Mansion." ”

Chen Cao trembled a little in his heart, and hurriedly knelt down and saluted: "The subordinates will definitely not insult the reputation of the Guogong Mansion, and Grandpa Xie will be promoted." ”

Xu Hongji smiled: "Rectify the water master well, our future wealth plan depends on you." ”

Chen Cao saluted again: "Please rest assured..."

...

Chen Cao walked out of the gate of the Guogong Mansion proudly, and Zhao Xin then smiled: "My lord, what's a good thing?" ”

Chen Cao handed the official document to Zhao Xin, and Zhao Xin took a look: "Congratulations to my subordinates." ”

"Zhao Xin, did you ask for someone to go to Caojiang Shui Shi last time?" Chen Cao asked.

Zhao Xin was stunned, and it took a long time to react: "Chen Maoxiu and Chen Yongsu, two brothers, were promoted to Caojiang Water Master three months after the adult order, and went home to visit relatives during the Chinese New Year this year, and only returned last month. ”

Chen Cao nodded: "After resting for so long, the three sea ships have been built, and it's time for them to train." By the way, send someone to Daqushan Island, let Zhao Tianlin come back with the fleet, and tell him that the opportunity to make contributions has come. ”

"Yes..."

...

Inside the Shen Kee grocery store

Shen Zhuangling was tying Chen Cao's belt: "My lord, why do you always like to do it from behind... It's still on the table and chairs in the lobby, if you let the subordinates see it, how can the slave family see people...", and blushed as he spoke.

Chen Cao said with a serious face: "Don't worry, you won't do this business in the future, I'll tell the Duke of Qianguo to let you come to my house to serve, how about it?" ”

Shen Zhuangling twisted and moved her feet, making the filth flow completely, and then said: "My lord is really joking, as an adult, now the slave family is committed to the adult, and I have to rely on the adult in the future..."

Shen Zhuangling's age is exactly the best one for Chen Cao, so he pinched Shen Zhuangling's ass right now, and then said, "How is it, is the thing I asked you to find settled?" ”

"Yes..."Shen Zhuangling smiled charmingly: "Some of the daimyo of the Japanese State have planted that, and they call it 'yellow pearl rice', not 'corn' as you said." ”

"How much do you get back?" Chen Cao asked.

Shen Zhuangling didn't know if she had been single in Jinling for a long time, and since she was forcibly re-entered by Chen Cao last time, she was very enthusiastic when she saw Chen Cao, and immediately said with a red face: "The slave family used a cart of porcelain to buy a boat for them to come back, and they stopped at the Longjiang ferry, but if the adults want to take away that boat, there must be a condition." ”

Do you dare to talk to me about conditions?

Chen Cao was a little unhappy, so he asked, "Speak..."

Shen Zhuangling leaned into Chen Cao's ear and gasped: "The slave family still wants..."

Chen Cao was helped into the car by Zhao Xin when he got out of Shen Ji's shop, and the first time he felt so tired, Zhao Xin sneered and said: "My lord, thirty women are like wolves and tigers, adults should be more leisurely in the future..."

"Bastard things..."Chen Cao felt his feet soft: "Go to the Longjiang Ferry, unload all the things on Shen Ji's cargo ship, transport them back to the barracks, and then instruct Bei Tianhua to arrange for those military remnants to dry all the things and plant them before the end of the year." ”

"It's my lord..."

...

"The camp of the Caojiang Navy Division is in Longtan, the full number is two guards plus a thousand households, and there are eight warships, one sea ship of eight hundred materials, and a total of more than 100 other ships, but most of them are in disrepair and can be ignored;

However, since the Duke of Wei's Mansion led the Cao River, there are only 5,600 soldiers in the Cao Jiang Water Division," Zhao Xin rode on his horse and said carefully to Chen Cao: "My lord, the Duke of Wei still cares about those little money. ”

Chen Cao turned his head to look at Zhao Xin, and then said with a smile: "Five thousand six hundred people have five thousand six hundred taels a year, don't you want the money that came out of thin air?" As he spoke, he said worriedly: "I haven't been to the Caojiang Water Master yet, I don't know the details, let's take a look first." ”

Longtan is about 20 miles away from Jinling City, and it takes less than half an hour to ride horses, and the officers and men of the Navy Division, who have already received the news, are already waiting in line outside the camp gate.

In addition to Xu Hongji as the commander, the actual manager of the original Caojiang Water Master was a thousand households, but this Qianhu official was transferred by Xu Hongji to take up his post because of the arrival of Chen Maoxiu, Xu Hongji shook off his hand to take charge, and the actual head of the Caojiang Water Master is now Chen Cao.

"The last general, Chen Maoxiu, has seen the general..."Chen Maoxiu and his younger brother are both young people in their twenties, because they are the descendants of Chen Lan, and they have a military tradition, and they seem to have a relatively good military demeanor.

Chen Cao has too many official positions, and in the Ming army, if the military position reaches the level of guerrilla general, he can call himself 'General Ben', and others can also call him 'General', but Chen Cao still likes others to call him 'Adult'.

"Chen Qianhu is polite, don't care if I am called a general in the camp in the future, let's still call me 'adult'."

"The last general commands."

Chen Cao walked into the sailor camp under the leadership of Chen Maoxiu, and was used to seeing the cement barracks of the right guard camp.

"Chen Qianhu, we can be regarded as our own family, last year I tried my best to transfer you to the river master, you don't think I'm joking with you, right?" Chen Cao turned around and stopped, he really didn't want to go inside, the muddy ground had already soiled his boots.

Chen Maoxiu hugged his fists and said with a smile: "If your lordship is there, your lord has won many victories in the battles between Liaodong and Zhejiang, and it is also the honor of the last general to think of the transfer of the water division." ”

"In that case, then beat the drums and gather the generals, and I will speak."

Dianjiangtai is on the side of the ferry, this is a military forbidden area, no people pass by, standing on Dianjiangtai, you can see the naval warships in the Yangtze River waterway in the distance.

Chen Cao cleared his throat and took the earthen horn from Zhao Xin's hand: "Soldiers, this general is the new deputy general of Caojiang, Chen Cao, in the future, you will follow me Chen Cao to ensure that you live a prosperous life." ”

After Chen Cao finished speaking, he didn't say a word, and when he looked at it, they were all lazy and unorthodox, Chen Maoxiu said: "Your Excellency is angry, the last general was like this when he came here, and the soldiers under his command are like making trouble, and your adult should know that some of them have not received their salaries for four months." ”

"How many kickbacks did you take?" Chen Cao couldn't help asking.

Chen Maoxiu hurriedly explained: "My lord Mingjian, after the end of the year, the silver taels allocated by the Nanjing Military Department to the Navy Division are only 3,000 taels, and there are only a few left after the official schools at all levels are received, that is, the last general, and I haven't taken the money for two months." ”

Chen Yongsu, who was standing on the side, interjected: "My lord Mingjian, the lowly family has some surplus wealth and can be self-sufficient, but the soldiers under him do not, so my brother and I both sent the money and food we received to our team. ”

Deng Guang was nominated by Chen Cao, although it was only a patrol inspection before, but now he is also an official of 100 households: "My lord, the lowly position proves that what Chen Qianhu said is the truth." ”

Chen Cao couldn't help but sigh, turned his head and looked at Zhao Xin a few times, and then shook his head, the Wei State Mansion must know about this kind of thing, Xu Hongji must have felt that he would not be able to eat the money of the Jiangshui Master in the future, so he began to eat these soldiers' blood since the end of last year, and it is not a good thing to think that this guy is not a good thing.

"Chen Qianhu, this official has decided to reorganize the Caojiang Water Division, and the soldiers will be full, and if the military department can't give it, I, Chen Cao, will pay for it myself." Chen Cao frowned and said, then picked up the horn, and continued: "This official took over as the Caojiang Water Division, that is, to vigorously develop the Water Division, you are all veterans in the Water Division, some of them are even sailors for generations, and this official is not willing to expel all of you, of course, the national dynasty system is there, and some of you are even unwilling to be soldiers at all, thinking that being a soldier is not as good as going home and farming to make your family life richer." ”

"What the general said is," a bold veteran interjected, "If it weren't for the imperial court's rule that military membership can only be a soldier, who would want to be this bullshit soldier." ”

"Bastard..."The leader of the team rebuked loudly.

Chen Cao said: "Don't reprimand him, he will be a newcomer, just to listen to your views and say what you think boldly." ”

"General, the little one hasn't been paid for four months." Another veteran shouted.

"General, the last time the little one came back from Shandong with the Nanjing Right Guard, the little one found that the soldiers of the Right Guard were all red and bright, and the food was good, will we have a sailor in the future?"

"General..."

"General..."

A noisy shout began at the bottom, Chen Cao roughly listened to it, and then asked people to signal the people below not to speak, and then raised the horn and said: "Ben Jiang understands, and your needs are roughly clear, so let's talk about the rules of our river master from now on;

First, all the officers and soldiers of our naval division official school, each ordinary soldier is paid two dollars of silver per month, three dollars for small flags, five dollars for general flags, eight dollars for 100 households, one tael for 100 households, one tael for 100 households, one tael for 100 households, two taels for 1,000 households, and five taels for 1,000 households;

Second, from now on, you will have three meals a day, meat at noon and dinner, and the food standard per person per day will be set at 50 yuan, so that you will be full of food and drink;

Thirdly, all the salaries will be paid monthly in the future, and they will never be disadvantaged to you. Tomorrow, the Japanese will order people to send money and food to the camp, and first send you the money owed to you according to the previous standard. ”

As soon as the words fell, the general began to shout like a tsunami, and each team of thousands of households took the scabbard and beat it one by one to control the scene, and it took a long time to quiet down.

Chen Cao continued: "Your salary and food are according to my Nanjing right guard, but don't be happy too early, the sailor is full of two guards plus a thousand households, that is, 12,300 people, but now there are only 5,600 people, so I will be conscripted, but all of you present must go through systematic training, if anyone is not qualified, then only eliminated, which means that you can no longer enjoy those benefits." ”

...

Chen Cao didn't return home until late at night, the first thing was to find Zhang Chunyao to do business with him, and relax himself by the way, it was Xu Kaixian who sent the official document, and Chen Cao had to get dressed and go to the study to meet Xu Kaixian.

"My lord," Xu Kaixian opened the official document and handed it over: "This is the news from Jingshi, Xu Xianchun has taken over as the commander of the Jinyi Guard, Luo Sigong has gone to retire, and Luo Yangxing has been promoted to the commander and sits in Tianjin Yamen." ”

"Is there any news from Jingshi?" Chen Cao looked through it carefully.

"Many, my subordinates pick some important ones," Xu Kaixian arched his hand: "First of all, Liaodong, Jianyu broke through the Yizhou Wei last month, the thief chief Nurhachi has already stationed troops under the city of Guangning, the battle of Yizhou, the imperial court lost 60,000 horses, the superintendent Sun Chengzong can only stick to Guangning now, and the Mongolian side is also ready to move, especially Duoyan Sanwei; My lord didn't know, according to the news given by the Fusi of Beizhen, after the emperor learned that Yizhou had fallen, he pulled Shoufu Ye to Gao and wept bitterly, and many of the people in the cabinet cried along. ”

Chen Cao frowned: "Did you mention me here?" ”

"It's mentioned," Xu Kaixian nodded: "But I was mentioned by Gonggong Wei, Your Majesty, Your Majesty remembered that you made money for them in Nanzhili, so the court did not let your Excellency act for the time being." But..."

"But what?"

Xu Kaixian was embarrassed and said: "There is news over there, Ye Xianggao agreed to the request of the king of Liaodong Jinglu in Jin, and asked the emperor to allocate 930,000 taels of silver to build various fortresses from Guangning to Shanhaiguan, preparing to block the captives, and the emperor also agreed, and has already sent 200,000 taels of gold to Wang Zaijin; As he spoke, he stared at Chen Cao and said, "Father-in-law Wei sent someone to pass the word, saying that you should think of a way..."

Boom...

Chen Cao slapped it on the table: "This gelding, this will make up your mind." This money is used in Liaodong, and most of it will fall into the hands of those officials, bastards. ”

Xu Kaixian looked at Chen Cao getting angry, and said casually: "My subordinates also think so, so Yuan Chonghuan, the military officer in Liaodong who supervised the army, vigorously opposed the construction of Shanhaiguan, and privately asked the cabinet to stop the construction of Shanhaiguan Balipu Heavy Pass, and use the money to build Ningyuan City and strengthen the war readiness from Ningyuan to Guangning." ”

"Who?" Chen Cao raised his eyebrows, and he heard a familiar name.

Xu Kaixian thought that he had said the wrong thing, so he whispered: "Yuan Chonghuan, the minister of the Ministry of War." ”

"A dog thief is him?" Chen Cao couldn't help scolding, and then shook his head: "It seems that I can't go out of the horse, Liaodong falls into the hands of this scholar, it can only be worse than worse, that guy is the magistrate of Shaowu County, how can he take on the overall situation of Liaodong?" ”

"Do you know the details of Yuan Chonghuan?" Xu Kaixian raised his eyebrows: "My lord is right, if it weren't for Jiang Ricai playing for Yuan Chonghuan, he wouldn't have been able to go to Liaodongle; This time, Wang Zaijin was already very dissatisfied with his character, and the two sides were a little dirty, and the supervisor Sun Chengzong also went to mediate in person. ”

"Yuan Chonghuan is not a good stubble, he recommended himself to Liaodong, and he will inevitably have a conflict with Wang Zaijin, otherwise how can he exert his strength in Liaodong," Chen Cao said with a cold face: "This person has an adventurous personality, and it is a small fight to be a magistrate, and the reason why he recommended himself is that this guy wants to make a career and want to be the first assistant of the cabinet..."

"How do adults know Yuan Chonghuan so well?" Xu Kaixian was a little curious.

Chen Cao doesn't know more, but who doesn't know Yuan Chonghuan if he likes to read novels in the late Ming Dynasty?

Chen Cao said: "Send someone to closely monitor Yuan Chonghuan, and some news must be reported to me." ”

"Yes," Xu Kai replied first, and then said, "Then my lord, where is Gonggong Wei?" ”

"Hmph..."Chen Cao snorted coldly: "Send someone to reply, and the rest of the money will be sent in three months." ”

"Yes..."

After Xu Kai left first, Chen Cao simply stayed in the study, and he was worried all night.

I got up early the next morning and went to the barracks, waiting for Zhao Tianlin to come and see him.

"The appointment of the sailor is to be re-appointed, divided into two wings, left and right; Chen Maoxiu was appointed as the commander of the left wing battalion; Chen Yongsu was the commander of the left wing battalion; Zhao Tianlin was the commander of the right-wing battalion, and Deng Guang was the commander of the right-wing battalion. ”

Chen Cao told Zhao Tianlin about the appointment of the official school of the water division in front of Zhao Tianlin, and Zhao Tianlin was very excited when he heard it.

"The last general, Lord Xie, promoted." Zhao Tianlin knelt down and saluted as he spoke.

Chen Cao nodded: "In the future, the development of the water division will depend on your Chen Maoxiu's methods, I will report the appointment letter to the Nanjing Military Department, and there will be official documents issued from time to time, but I didn't come to you today to talk about this, talk about business, are you clear about the things you want to check?" ”

Zhao Tianlin stood up, and then ordered his subordinates to take out a map, which was a map of the Wa Kingdom: "My lord, please see, the Iwami Silver Mountain that the adults said is between Izumo Province and Iwami Province, but it is located in Iwami Country, and the Wa Kingdom has been fighting for a long time, and finally after the Battle of Sekigahara, it was directly governed by the Tokugawa family, and the silver produced there was sent to overseas countries, and a lot of our Ming silver taels were produced there." ”

"How about hitting the stone and seeing the country?" Chen Cao asked.

"The division is nameless, it can't be fought, and now it is under the direct jurisdiction of the shogunate, if we send troops to fight, we have no chance of winning." Zhao Tianlin shook his head and said.

"You know the waters around the Wa Kingdom, what are their silver ships going to sea?" Chen Cao looked at the map: "Is Iwami in the middle of him?" ”

Zhao Tianlin thought for a while: "The silver ships that go to sea are all commercial ships, and if you want to fight, you can only do your old job." ”

"Pirates?" Chen Cao's eyes rolled, he still had so many places to use his money, but he couldn't touch his own money, so he could only make other ideas: "It's okay, but are you sure that you can get one million taels of silver in two months?" ”

"If you have an adult's musket to help, you should be able to." Zhao Tianlin replied.

Chen Cao said unusually arrogantly: "Well, all the family teams will be handed over to you, and the three warships of the Caojiang Water Division with 3,000 materials will be used by you, but you have to hide them for me, and you can't leave them alive after the robbery." ”

"The last will understand." Zhao Tianlin gave up.

"Also," Chen Cao instructed, "there are still gun emplacements on the ship, and the firearms factory has fifteen newly made cannons, I will give them all to you, and I will come back in two months to pay the errand." ”

"Yes..."After Zhao Tianlin gestured with his hand, he withdrew with the official document.

"My lord, Zhao Tianlin won't run away with three warships, right?" Zhao Xin was a little worried.

Chen Cao shook his head with a smile: "No, there is Zhang Fengnian with the family team, he can't run, this is also his vote." By the way, send someone to inform Li Maocai and ask the cement workshop to rest the sailor's camp first, and then deal with the matter. ”

"Yes..."