Qingxian City.

The prefect's mansion.

"The three family masters, I invite you to come here today to discuss the matter of clearing out the Black Lotus Demon and establishing the Qingxian City Group Training."

Lu Xuan sat on the main seat and spread out a plan.

In front of him, there were the three heads of the family, Gu Yang, He Youde, and Bo Chang.

This is a plan to raise money for the group.

"This time, it is planned to recruit a total of 1,000 strong men, as a local army, according to the provisions of the Dakang law, there needs to be moon ringing, old rice, famous grain, red heart paper and silver......

In this way, it costs thirty taels of silver per man a year. ”

The plan was not written randomly, Lu Xuan did his homework in advance.

Thirty taels of silver doesn't sound like much.

At least compared to the pendant that Bo Chang gave to Qin Fu, it can only be regarded as a fraction.

But this is the life of the landlord and the old rich man.

In Dakang, twenty taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to live for a year.

"It's a time of war, and the price of rice and noodles has skyrocketed, and thirty taels of silver will definitely not work, and it has to be added more."

Lu Xuan counted the cost of group training:

"In addition to raising people, there is also the cost of raising weapons and armor, at least twenty taels per person per year.

We have to fight against the Black Lotus Sect and deal with this dangerous demon, according to the law of Dakang, we must pay a year's military salary in advance.

There is also a pension, which is equivalent to a year's military salary, and if it is prepared at half the head, it will be an average of fifteen taels per person.

And that's not even counting the money for the red and white cases, the money for raising money, and the salt and vegetable money that may exist for the expedition......"

Lu Xuan calculated for a while, and finally waved his hand:

"How can you train a group of 1,000 people in a year...... and 200,000 taels of silver. ”

When Gu Yang and the three of them heard this, they gasped.

It's black, it's so dark.

For 1,000 people, according to 300 households, the normal cost of each household is 20 taels of silver a year, and the total is only 6,000 taels.

But as soon as the county magistrate slapped the table, these thousand people became an army, and he had to levy 200,000 taxes and silver.

And what kind of incorruptible silver...... For a militia of 1,000 people, it is enough to have a commander, how many can there be who need to maintain honest official positions?

The regular army of Dakang is not available to you.

Gu Yang scolded his mother in his heart.

Damn, otherwise it's an official, you can come up with this kind of name.

But the three heads of the family knew it.

The money...... Of course, it will not really be spent on military spending, and it will not be borne by them.

"Lord Wu."

Gu Yang pondered for a moment and then spoke:

"It's not a secret, the recent war in Dakang has caused prices to rise wildly, and I don't have any money left at home......"

"Master Gu, purge the Black Lotus Demon, but it's an order from the imperial court."

Lu Xuan raised his eyebrows and put the teacup aside, his face unhappy.

Gu Yang knew that the county magistrate was acting with himself to show Bo Chang.

He smiled:

"My lord, don't be impatient, we don't have to say the money, it's just 200,000 taels of silver, which is really a lot...... You can't just let the three of us out, right? ”

"According to the master's wishes, what should I do about this?"

Lu Xuan asked knowingly.

"The three of us, join forces to contribute half of it, and the remaining half, so that the rich families in the city can make up for it."

Gu Yang said.

"The rich man in the city?"

Lu Xuan looked at the three of them.

"My lord doesn't know that there are still a lot of rich people in this Qingxian City...... What's more, a group of people have come from Qinghe County recently. ”

Gu Yang said with a smile, "Since they are part of Qingxian City, they should pay some silver for the safety of Qingxian City." ”

Lu Xuan pondered for a moment:

"The common people of that city ......"

"Hey, I said, my lord, how much money can the mud-legged people have? I can't squeeze it even if I want to. ”

Gu Yang said as a matter of course:

"To make money, of course, you have to earn the money of the rich."

Bo Chang, who was on the side, sneered when he heard this.

Of course, Gu Yang didn't have a kind heart, and he wanted to let go of the people in Qingxian City.

On the contrary, his own target is the mud-legged people in Qingxian City.

After a while, the Qingxian Festival will arrive.

The worship paid by the people of Qingxian City every year is the bulk of the income.

This year's Qingxian Festival is still hosted by Gu Yang.

As the current president, he can use a lot of hands and feet to make a profit.

This is why Bo Chang cares so much about the position of president.

Only by becoming the president can he make more benefits for the Bo family.

Gu Yang said at this time that he couldn't move the common people, so as to wait for the day of the Qingxian Festival, and he would harvest it by himself.

Lu Xuan knew what Gu Yang was thinking.

Gu Yang knew that the county magistrate knew what he was thinking.

But he didn't care.

I have already cooperated with the county magistrate.

This Master Wu can get half of the Bo family's property, which is a huge amount of money.

As for this year's income, the two sides have reached an agreement, and the county magistrate's share will all go to the Gu family.

"However, Gu thought that 200,000 was just barely raising soldiers, and if there was an emergency, I am afraid it would not be enough."

Gu Yang pondered for a moment:

"It's better to do this, the three of us will join forces to give 150,000 taels of silver, and the rich families in the city will receive another 150,000 taels of silver, a total of 300,000 taels of silver, and hand them over to the county magistrate, how about it?"

Lu Xuan smiled:

"There's no problem, Master Bo, Master He, what do you think?"

"Fifty thousand taels of silver, Bo can still afford it."

Bo Cheong Road.

"It's the same."

He Youde replied.

"In that case, Wu has thanked you here."

Lu Xuan raised his cup and gave the three of them a cup of tea.

"Fifty thousand taels of silver, I will send it to the county government tonight."

Gu Yang spoke, and the other two also followed suit.

"The three of you can rest assured, what the county has received will definitely ...... when the time comes and the thing to its rightful owner. ”

Lu Xuan smiled and said meaningfully.

………………

That same evening.

"Master, the people from the Gu Mansion are here, and they have pulled a carriage over."

Li Ming reported.

"Take the brethren, count the money, and carry them all to the storehouse."

Lu Xuan ordered:

"Remember, let them go after checking it in person, this is a military salary, and no mistakes are allowed."

"Yes!"

Li Ming led people away.

After a while, the He family also sent someone over.

It was also a carriage and fifty thousand taels of silver.

After counting the numbers, the two families left one after another.

But the Bo family did not come.

Lu Xuan was not in a hurry, he and Cheng Lingzhu stood at the gate of the county ya, waiting quietly.

When the curfew was approaching, a carriage came slowly to the gate of the county office.

The driver of the carriage is the manager of the Bo family, Bo Kai.

"Lord Wu."

Bo Kai got out of the car and saluted respectfully to Lu Xuan:

"This is the military salary of our Bo family."

Lu Xuan nodded and beckoned to the officials behind him:

"Move back."

"Yes!"

Everyone responded and moved down the pieces of silver ingots.

While the officials were busy.

Bo Kai quietly came up.

He was holding a black box, about the size of an adult man's palm.

"My lord has been in Qingxian City for a few days, and I have broken my heart for the people of Qingxian City...... This is a little bit of the heart of our family master. ”

Bo Kai offered the box with both hands.

Lu Xuan took the box and felt his wrist sink.

He opened the wooden box, and inside were gold bars, neat and full.

Lu Xuan smiled:

"Go back and tell Master Bo, just tell him what he wants...... The official received it. ”

"Yes, sir."

Bo Kai retired.

………………

That same evening.

"This Bo Chang is really generous."

Cheng Lingzhu lay on the bed, teasing the little fox with gold bars, "It seems that the file we faked has worked." ”

"Not bad."

Lu Xuan nodded, he leaned on the chair, holding a letter in his hand, facing the light:

"And the Bo family and the Gu family have long had contradictions, and now that they have the enmity of killing their father, Bo Chang can no longer tolerate it in public and private."

So he found Lu Xuan.

Bo Chang took a fancy to the group training in Lu Xuan's hands.

A box of gold bars is a stepping stone, and the letter in the box is to invite Lu Xuan to go to the Bo family tomorrow night for a secret talk.

The content of the letter is sincere and dispassionate.

Bo Chang analyzed the situation of the two sides and clearly told the county magistrate that cooperation against the Gu family was the only way out.

Lu Xuan folded the letter and put it in the drawer.

………………

The next morning.

County office.

Lu Xuan drank tea:

"Li Ming, continue to recruit strong men today, post out our military salary conditions, and read them out loud...... Also, when choosing people, try to find bachelors, the kind that no one cares about if they disappear. ”

"Yes."

"By the way, you and the brothers who collect military expenses will act together, and all rich families who are willing to join the army will be given preferential treatment for reducing military expenses."

Lu Xuan added.

"This ......"

Li Ming was stunned for a moment, "Is it just that the rich family only needs to be out of the family, or must they be the heirs of the family, and servants are not counted?" ”

"It doesn't have to be an heir, an old man is fine, but he doesn't want a servant, he must be from the master's family."

Lu Xuan said, "Otherwise, what's the point of tax cuts?" ”

"My lord, many of these rich children have been hollowed out by wine, and they are afraid that their physical condition ......"

Li Ming said tentatively.

"I want it to be hollowed out by wine."

Lu Xuan nodded:

"I found a reason to kick if I was in good health, I was short, I was thin, I was too old to pull the bow, or I couldn't help but be weak at first sight...... This kind of person should be given priority. ”

Li Ming: "??? ”

This group training, how can there be a special one to find crooked melons and cracked dates?

"Also, these thin men are separated from the strong men and form an independent team, and the equipment is the worst for me."

Lu Xuan commanded, "For the training of this army...... I'll make my own arrangements in the future. ”

“…… Be. ”

Li Ming nodded.

………………

It's night.

A carriage drove away from the county office, and after drilling a few laps in the alleys of Qingxian City, it came to a courtyard from the opposite direction.

"Master, the place has arrived."

Lu Ping lowered his voice and said slowly.

Lu Xuan was slightly surprised:

"Speak so fluently this time?"

"Back to the master's words."

Lu Ping laughed, "Say it slowly, don't worry, there's no problem......"

"Not bad."

Lu Xuan nodded in agreement:

"When talking to people, think about it first and then speak slowly, not only can you overcome stuttering to a certain extent, but you will also appear to be very stable."

………………

In this compound.

Lu Xuan and Cheng Lingzhu met Bo Chang, the head of the Bo family.

Bo Chang was cautious about the secret talks.

Tea had already been poured in the quiet room, Lu Xuan sat in front of Bo Chang and asked:

"I don't know why the head of the Bo family invited this official to come?"

"Naturally, I want to negotiate a business with the county magistrate."

Bo Chang said quietly.

"What business?"

Lu Xuan asked knowingly.

"A business that can make adults get promoted and make a fortune."

Bo Chang said.

"How to get promoted, how to get rich?"

Lu Xuan spoke, "Master Bo might as well make his words clearer." ”

"Forming a group to train and eliminate the Black Lotus demons is for promotion; Killing pigs and eating meat is to make a fortune. ”

Bo Chang's eyes were gloomy:

"According to Bo's opinion, there must be someone in this Qingxian City who has taken refuge in the Black Lotus Sect, such an anti-thief move...... You can't spare him. ”

The "anti-thief" in his mouth certainly does not refer to the county magistrate.

In order to seek this cooperation, Bo Chang buttoned Gu Yang as soon as he opened his mouth.

Since Gu Yang is a Black Lotus Demon and intends to rebel, it is naturally reasonable to destroy the Gu family.

"This pig to be killed...... But it's a lot of strength. ”

Lu Xuan looked at his cup.

"So your Excellency needs an ally."

Bo Chang said.

"I don't know who the Bo family's allies are?"

Lu Xuan raised his head.

"Master Wu has made a bad deal with Gu Yang, you slapped him in the face, this kind of Liangzi, he will not let go no matter what."

Bo Chang was calm:

"As for He Youde, not to mention his irritable personality, he is still on the same front as Gu Yang...... This person is by no means suitable. ”

"In this way, only Master Bo is a friend of this official."

Lu Xuan said lightly.

"That's right."

Bo Cheong Road:

"Two-thirds of the officers and soldiers defending the city are controlled by two people, and they are outnumbered, and the adults want to win...... Only the road of cooperation with Bo can be taken. ”

"How does Master Bo plan to cooperate?"

Lu Xuandao.

"I pay for it, and adults pay for it."

Bo Chang is simple and straightforward:

"I know that, like the previous magistrates, regimental training is just a pretense for setting up a name and collecting money, and the training is just a show.

But this time, I want adults to make it real. ”

Bo Chang paused:

"The previous 50,000 yuan was used as military expenses for adults, and in addition, Bo added another 50,000 taels."

"Okay."

Lu Xuan nodded heavily.

"After the matter is completed, the adults will beat Gu Yang into a black lotus demon, and the property in his family will be divided equally between you and me."

Bo Chang's eyes are shining:

"In addition, Bo will send another 100,000 taels of silver to the adult, which can be regarded as wishing the adult a high promotion!"

In order to talk about Dongzhi County, he joined forces with him to bring down Gu Yang, and he did not hesitate to spend a lot of money.

"Master Bo has said it to this point, how can Wu be a person who doesn't know how to lift?"

Lu Xuan raised his eyebrows, "Just do what Master Bo said!" ”

The two raised their glasses and touched each other's cups of tea.

Thinking of his future plans, Bo Chang only felt happy in his heart.

He was not stingy with money to raise soldiers, because Bo Chang knew very well that the newly established militia regiment was stationed in Qingxian City.

As soon as the magistrate left, this army fell into his own hands.

By that time, he had already annexed the Gu family, and he still held the right to train troops in his hands, and the power of the Bo family would reach a peak.

It doesn't seem to be difficult to take the opportunity to bring down the He family.

"The eldest husband was born in heaven and earth, how can he be depressed and live under the people for a long time!"

Bo Changlang said.

Lu Xuan's expression was subtle, and he decided to pour oil on the fire again:

"Master Bo contributes money and efforts, and the official can't sit back and enjoy the results, he has to think about Master Bo's pocket......"

Bo Chang's face was curious:

"What do you mean by ......"

"I have a plan, not only to fight Gu Yang, but also to subsidize Master Bo."

Lu Xuan said.

"Your Excellency, please speak."

Bo Chang sat up straight when he heard this.

Lu Xuan pondered for a moment:

"Have you ever heard of it...... Indulgences? ”

(End of chapter)