Zhang Wen, Huang Renzhi and Shen Jing discussed government affairs while taking a walk in the garden. This garden is dominated by water, the water surface is vast, and the scenery is plain and innocent, sparse and natural. The garden takes the pond water as the center, the pavilion pavilion is built around the pool, there are leaky windows, the corridor is connected in the middle, the mountain stones, ancient trees, green bamboo, flowers in the garden, such as a picture of distant tranquility, very Ming Dynasty garden architectural style.

Judging from its layout, it is obvious that this garden was not used as a yamen in the past, and the front part and the back garden are too much connected, and it looks like it was later rebuilt. It was supposed to be the private residence of a wealthy and noble family, but for some reason it was nationalized by the government and converted into the governor's office.

The vicissitudes of time, the predecessor of the garden is now unexaminable.

The water of Miao Miao Pond is leisurely, remote, elegant, calm, the head of the curved shore bay, the endless flowing water that comes and goes, meandering, deep and fascinating; Through the flat bridge path as its vein, the promenade fills the void, and the island mountains and rocks reflect its left and right, so that the loose garden buildings have their own charm.

Zhang Wen walked in it, and the impetuousness caused by the complicated affairs of the journey gradually disappeared, this place is really good, it seems that the former governor of Yingtian really knows how to choose a place. Zhang Wen pondered that such a large garden, and some beautiful families here, would really be a paradise in heaven.

But when he guessed about the origin and history of this garden, his mood became a little heavy. Just like the first owner of the garden, he must also be a wealthy family, but the garden was eventually confiscated by the government, why it was confiscated, the reason is worth pondering.

Zhang Wen put away those idle fantasies, turned around and asked: "This time I was appointed by the imperial court to the southeast, how to govern and prepare for arms, what suggestions do the two gentlemen have?" ”

Huang Ren touched his beard, sharp-beaked monkey cheeks, a shrewd gaze flashed in his eyes, and looked at Shen Jing and said, "Let's say Mr. Shen." ”

Shen Jing was short in stature, with prominent bones and sharp edges on his face, and his face looked more honest than Huang Renzhi, and at this time he also pushed back: "Last night, the opinions of the two of us were the same, or Brother Huang." ”

Huang Renzhi bowed his hand and said, "Then the old man will not refuse." Since the adult was appointed to the southeast, the old man and Mr. Shen have been planning, and they sorted it out last night in case the adult inquired. We have two suggestions: the first is to plan for the future of adults; The second is the specific administrative steps after taking over the military administration in the southeast. ”

Zhang asked and said that the two questions they raised were the two most concerned issues he was facing at the moment. Zhang Wen was immediately attracted and stood on the stone bridge over the lake, ready to listen. There were only Zhang Wen and the other three people around, the breeze was coming, it was very quiet, and the maids and slaves were waiting in the distance.

"Mr. Huang, please speak."

Huang Ren stood straight next to the railing, facing the breeze, touching his beard and saying, "First, the future of adults." The old man and others think that standing on Wei Zhongxian's side is the fastest way to get promoted, but they have a lot of troubles. As long as Wei Zhongxian falls, the adults will be attacked by Shilin, and it will be difficult to protect themselves. However, this time, the imperial court appointed the lord as the governor of Zhejiang, and asked for the pacification of Fujian, but did not give soldiers or money, so that the lord could act in ...... This is a great opportunity. As long as the adults have done something, the army run by the adults is almost the private soldiers of the adults, which is a very important bargaining chip. If the imperial court disposes of the adults, these armies will not be able to provide and dispatch, and they will become a plate of scattered sand, scattered birds and beasts. The world is turbulent, and the imperial court needs the strength of soldiers and horses, as long as the adults are properly maneuvered, they will have the opportunity to reach a compromise with the imperial court and protect their lives. ”

Zhang Wen couldn't help but nod his head, the newly recruited generals were not supported by the finances, so Zhang Wen had to find a way to provide for himself. In the end, the army was freed from its dependence on the central government's finances, and Zhang did not ask, how could the financially strapped imperial court provide for it? The best result is to let everyone break up, and if you are not careful, you may have to mutiny. In this way, if you want to ask questions, the country will have to suffer losses.

This is the capital, Zhang Wen thought about it, and his sense of security suddenly rose a lot. In such a world, the state cannot come up with money to support the army, but the army is needed everywhere to fight, and it is difficult to prevent warlords from appearing.

Huang Renzhi said again: "Second, the implementation steps of the military administration in the southeast, the old man and others also discussed it. The goal was to recruit and train an army of tens of thousands to pacify the White Lotus Sect in Fujian. First of all, we need a start-up capital to recruit troops. One hundred or twenty thousand taels of silver in the early stage is enough, and this money can be raised from Miss Shen. But I was afraid that Miss Shen wouldn't be able to raise so much cash for a while, so we thought of another way......"

“…… According to the old man's understanding, Zhejiang's political envoy Qian Yiqian has thousands of hectares of fertile land in the south of the Yangtze River and countless family properties, which can bring him down, and he has no family property for military expenses. Qian Yiqian fabricated rumors and framed adults, originally because he fought back, but now he is restrained by adults, so he just took this opportunity to impeach him. ”

When Zhang Wen heard this, he smiled and said nothing, and said in his heart that these two old things wanted to make a move, and they were really ruthless enough, but they won Zhang Wen's heart. Zhang Wen was framed by Qian Yiqian, and he was unhappy with him for a long time.

Huang Ren took a breath and said, "While raising military spending, start making preparations. The topography of Fujian, the power of the White Lotus Sect, the distribution of thieves, etc., must be prepared and understood immediately, and the candidates for leading the generals should also be contacted, so that the later steps will not be interrupted and implemented step by step. ”

"Secondly, after having the start-up funds, select a military cantonment in the southern region of Zhejiang, recruit soldiers, and form a formation training. At the same time, it is necessary to start opening up sources of military spending. The source of supply to the army, the old man and others also thought of a way. Adults can use strong means to support the Shen family and other businessmen, monopolize some industries, and then share the profits and use them to supply the army. Coastal trade is forbidden from time to time, and many wealthy households take advantage of the opportunity to make huge profits in maritime trade, and adults can also support some businessmen and share some benefits. Jiangsu and Zhejiang are extremely prosperous, and it is not difficult to raise military spending......"

“…… After the above preparations, the army training is completed, and the adults will select the fierce generals and capable officials, and lead the army into Fujian, and the achievement can be accomplished. ”

"Haha." Zhang Wen smiled happily when he heard this, stroked his palm and said, "Two gentlemen, this method is very good. Let's do it. ”

Huang Ren touched his beard and said, "The matter of the king of food is the matter of loyalty to the king, and the matter of the ear." ”

Although Zhang Wen said so, in fact, he had a plan in his heart, but only he knew that plan, and he was unwilling to tell anyone.

In terms of military and political affairs, Huang Renzhi and Shen Jing's arrangement was very reasonable, so Zhang Wen agreed. But Zhang Wen still wants to do a few things, one is to support Zhang Ying's "Xuanyi Guard" and become a source of intelligence; Second, he wants to open a academy, which is not as simple as guiding public opinion, and can be used to cultivate descendants; In addition, he cooperated with Shen Biyao to control the economic income of Jiangnan industry and commerce...... The formation of an economic and political force that cannot be ignored.

If these things are done, Zhang Wen's power will be immeasurable, and with such a force, it is possible to succeed even in rebellion. Therefore, Zhang Wen was reluctant to speak out, so as not to suffer trouble; Sullen wealth is the right way.

After Zhang Wen saw the opportunity, his ambition continued to swell in his chest.

Several people stood on the stone bridge, looking at the water, and a gust of wind blew. At this moment, I saw Cao An beckoning to this side at the bridge. Zhang Wen shouted, "Cao An, come and talk." ”

Cao An walked to the middle of the bridge, bowed down and said, "Young master, someone from the Shen family has just come, and he is the shopkeeper of the Shen family in Suzhou City. ”

"What's the matter?"

Cao An said: "The shopkeeper's surname is Wang, and he said that the Shen family's money village in Suzhou City has been seized several times, and the one left with his shopkeeper is frightened and cautious every day, and there is no profit. I heard that the young master had arrived in Suzhou, so I came to ask the young master for help. ”

Zhang Wen was surprised when he heard this: "Doesn't the Shen family have connections in the officialdom of Zhejiang?" The Suzhou government does not look at the face of the monk but also looks at the face of the Buddha, who did it? ”

Cao An said: "Two months ago, the Suzhou government came forward to seal it. ”

Zhang Wen paced a few steps and said, "Even if it is the prefect of Suzhou, he can't do this, there must be someone above." ”

"This old slave doesn't know, the shopkeeper is still in the front yard, does the young master want to see him?"

"Okay, you take him to the living room in the front yard, and I'll change into cloth clothes to meet him."

Zhang Wen immediately said goodbye to Huang Renzhi, changed into a green robe, and wore a square scarf on his head. After changing his clothes, Zhang Wen walked to the living room to see the shopkeeper Wang. When I walked into the living room, I saw an old man sitting on a chair with Huanghuali. When the old man saw someone come in, he turned his head to the door.

At this time, Cao An said: "Shopkeeper Wang, this is our young master." ”

The shopkeeper stood up in a little panic, fell to his knees with a plop, and complained sadly.

Zhang asked for good words of comfort, personally helped up the shopkeeper Wang, and said: "Shopkeeper Wang sits down and talks, do you young owners know about this?" ”

"Lao Yu has already sent someone to tell the Shaodong family, but the Shaodong family said that the Suzhou prefect is the person of Qian Yiqian, the political envoy of Zhejiang, and told us to endure it. Master Zhang, they are clearly deliberately unhappy with us, how can you bear this? You're going to help us......"

Zhang asked: "Don't worry, speak slowly, this official and your young owner are ...... Friend, whoever doesn't want to go with the Shen family is asked by me Zhang or not, just let me take care of this matter. ”

After hearing this, the shopkeeper fell to his knees again, and his head slammed on the floor, "Now we have met a nobleman, we have met a nobleman." ”

Zhang Wen saw that his beard was gray, and he kowtowed to himself like this, so he hurriedly supported him and said, "Please get up quickly, I can't stand you kowtowing like this." This matter is not difficult to do, the relationship between me and Miss Shen is rarely known in the officialdom, and I was not the governor of Zhejiang two months ago, and Qian Yiqian may not know about the relationship. Now that Qian Yiqian is under my control, as long as he knows the connection, you don't have to worry so much. ”

The shopkeeper said: "Yes, yes, as long as the adults come out, what can't be done?" ”