Lizhou West Road, Tongqing Mansion, Liting County.

On the New Year's Day, Cao Mansion in the city is full of lights, bustling, and lively.

The ancestor of the Cao family was Cao Bin, a famous general in the early Song Dynasty, and the official was a privy envoy. His granddaughter is Empress Song Renzong, a member of the Cao family, and Xuanhe is extremely prosperous.

But since the Song Dynasty crossed to the south, Cao Men gradually declined, and by the generation of Cao Youwen Cao Youwan brothers, although they still have some family wealth, they are no different from commoners.

Who knows, on a trip to Jinling to lecture on martial arts, the Cao brothers actually soared to prominence, were entrusted with important tasks by the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, returned to their hometowns in fine clothes, and became real feudal officials.

The emperor is so "knowing people and making good use of them", does he treat side affairs as child's play?

Although all the officials were suspicious in their hearts, no one would and did not dare to say the phrase "cronyism".

Putting aside the questions of the officials, this New Year's Day may be the most beautiful, lively and exciting festival for the Cao family over the years.

On the fourteenth day of the first month, coinciding with the fiftieth birthday of Mrs. Cao, Caofu held a feast, not only the prefect of Tongqing Prefecture, but also the magistrate of Liting County, as well as many officials and generals in the local government and the army, gathered together, and it was very lively.

In addition to the military and political dignitaries on Lizhou West Road, the other table is a group of generals in the army of the Xingyuan Rong Division of Lizhou East Road, including a group of graduates of the Wutang led by Yu Jue, the commander of Lizhou East Road, and Jiang Wanzai.

Even Yu Jue's wife, who arrived in Hanzhong a month ago, rushed to Liting County not far from a distance of hundreds of miles.

Counting up, among the guests of the Cao Mansion, the colleagues and subordinates of the Jinling Lecture Hall alone accounted for a full half.

"Sichuan made Cui and Cui Xianggong, sent two bags of tea, two horses of Shu brocade, and two jars of wine!"

"Lizhou West Road appeases Guo Zhengsun Guo Xianggong and sends a pair of golden hairpins, two boxes of tea, and two jars of wine!"

"Lizhou East Road appeases Chen Li and Chen Xianggong, and sends a pair of jade bracelets, a pair of gold hairpins, and two Shu brocades!"

"Lizhou West Road Transfer Envoy, Gaojia Gao Xianggong of Chuzhou Zhizhou, send two boxes of tea and two jars of wine!"

"Chen Yu, the prefect of Tongqing Mansion, Chen Xianggong, give a pair of jade bracelets, two Shu brocades, and ten altars of fine wine!"

…………

The people who presided over the banquet reported one by one, causing bursts of cheers and envy, jealousy and hatred. Everyone came in one after another, and the congratulatory voices continued, and they all took their places.

"General Cao, Old Madam Cao, congratulations!"

In the lobby, Chen Yu, the governor of Qingfu, Chen Yin, the governor of Xihe Prefecture, and Jia Zikun, the governor of Liting County, raised a glass together to congratulate Cao Youwen.

As for Guo Zhengsun, the pacification envoy of Lizhou West Road, Gao Jia, the transfer envoy of Lizhou West Road, and Cui Hehe, the envoy of Sichuan Preparation, they only sent people to send gifts and did not show up.

"Thank you, thank you!"

Cao's mother and the Cao brothers toasted together, and the table was full of joy.

"Old Madam Cao, today is a day of great joy, why are you still crying. You should be happy! ”

Chen Yu watched Cao's mother wipe her tears and persuaded with a smile.

The ancestors of the Cao family were glorious, Xuanhe was incomparable, and then it was dull for a hundred years, and it was able to make a comeback, full of friends, no wonder Cao's mother burst into tears.

"Mother, be happy. It's a good day, and you have a drink too. ”

Cao Youwen persuaded softly, Cao's mother resurfaced with a smile on her face, raised her wine glass, and everyone hurriedly accompanied.

"Chen Xianggong, in the past, you were not so polite to my brother!"

Cao Youwan finished drinking, put down the wine glass, and looked at Chen Yu, his face flushed.

"General Cao Er, I'm not polite to you, that's because you dance with guns and sticks all day long, causing trouble. I have great respect for your brother. ”

Chen Yu smiled slightly and said to Cao Youwen:

"General Cao, it's not me complimenting you. With your talent, even if you go to participate in this year's imperial examination, you will definitely be named on the gold list! ”

He wasn't saying a compliment. Cao Youwen in history was a Jinshi in the first year of Baoqing in the Southern Song Dynasty, a thorough reader.

"General Cao Er, what Chen Xianggong said is true! You just said that there are a few young people in the city who are generally big and have never fought with you. Every time you beat someone with a blue nose and swollen face, and a broken head and bleeding, it was your eldest brother who helped you deal with the aftermath. Do you want to go to the county office and check your great achievements? ”

Jia Zikun, the magistrate of Liting County, is an honest official, straightforward and fast-talking, and does not give Cao You any face.

"Jia Xianggong, you don't slap people in the face, why do you say everything! Come on, come on, drink! Drinking! ”

Cao Youwan's face turned even redder, and he quickly raised his wine glass and toasted Jia Zikun.

Everyone laughed, and Cao's mother also smiled, and gently slapped her youngest son twice.

The stubborn boy is now also a dignified general of the imperial court.

"Chen Xianggong, Jia Xianggong, you have a good reputation. Take care of the past, and I will toast you a glass below. ”

Cao Youwen picked up the wine glass and drank with Chen Yu.

Compared with weekdays, there are many dignitaries and nobles who come today, not to mention, all of them are still humble. The emperor admired the martial arts hall very much, and even with these civil officials, he was much more polite to these martial artists.

"The two big officials of Caomen, the eldest brother is both civil and military, and the second brother is skilled in bows and horses, either Wenju or martial arts. Today, the brothers are all feudal officials, guarding the frontier and defending the country, which is a great joy. Cao's door, the scenery is glorious, the lintel is prominent, congratulations! Congratulations! ”

Chen Yin, the governor of Xihe Prefecture, raised his glass again, with a smile on his face, and congratulated Brother Cao Youwen.

Xihe Prefecture is the western gateway of the Great Song Dynasty, the west gate of the three passes and five states, if the defense can be strengthened, it is indeed a great thing.

"Chen Xianggong, thank you!"

Cao Youwen finished drinking, put down the wine glass, and said in a deep voice:

"You don't know, Your Majesty asked Xiaguan to guard Lizhou West Road, entrusted with the important task of the border, and under is walking on thin ice, trembling, for fear that this step is not careful, there is a negative grace, sorry for the villagers and elders of Sanguan and Wuzhou. If there is something to bother you in the future, I hope you don't be surprised, and forgive me. ”

In his official position, there is a heavy pressure of the word "power", and once he fails to successfully perform his duties, I am afraid that he will automatically leave.

"Official, it's funny! We'll do our best! ”

"Big officials, if you can do it, you must do your best!"

Everyone nodded their heads again and again, all smiling.

The Cao brothers are being favored by the emperor and are favored. The things he mentioned should naturally be done with heart.

"Today's Zi Wenzhi martial arts, a generation of poets. The text is to implement the new policy, abolish excessive taxes and miscellaneous taxes, and benefit all people. Wu lies in the establishment of the martial arts hall, the formation and training of the new army, and the strength of the army. The image of a generation of saints is about to come out. ”

Chen Yu looked at Cao Youwen with a smirk on his face.

"General Cao, I heard that Your Majesty is coming to Shukou, please introduce me when the time comes, and see the holy face of the Son of Heaven."

"General Cao, Your Majesty is here in Shukou, please introduce me and see the holy face."

Jia Zikun, the magistrate of Liting County, and other officials spoke one after another.

Cao Youwen glanced at his younger brother. Needless to say, it's my brother's big mouth and talking nonsense everywhere.

"Chen Xianggong, colleagues, Your Majesty said that in the next few years, Shukou will be the main battlefield, and a series of wars will occur in Sanguan and five states. When the time comes, His Majesty may come in person several times. If you have the opportunity, you will definitely introduce it below. However, Your Majesty's eyes are like a torch, and the Sichuan Anti-Corruption Division has been established, so you should do your job well, lest when Your Majesty arrives, you will not be clear in front of the door, and you will mistake yourself when the time comes. Respect yourselves. ”

Cao You was noncommittal, and everyone nodded again and again.

"Thank you General Cao for the reminder!"

"What General Cao said is that we should keep it in mind!"

A group of officials, including Chen Yu, the governor of Tongqing Prefecture, everyone was solemn.

Fighting corruption and clarifying the rule of officials, no one dares to take it lightly.

"General Cao, the walls of Tongqing Mansion are in tatters, and the local forts are all dilapidated, so I am afraid it will be a little difficult to repair them!"

Jia Zikun, the magistrate of Liting County, said worriedly.

During the seven-year war of Song and Jin, coupled with the rebellion of the rebels, Tongqingfu was an important town in the north of Lizhou West Road, and the fortifications were completely destroyed. If it is not repaired, once the war comes, I am afraid that something really big will happen.

"General Cao, the imperial court set up a cement workshop in the border fortress, I am afraid it is also to repair the city wall fortress. Do you mean to build a big city first, or a frontier fortress first? ”

Chen Yu looked at Cao Youwen and asked tentatively.

If it had been placed in the past, the Lizhou West Road Pacification Division would have said that how to repair and repair there was a decision made by the local magistrate. Now militarily, it is completely up to these nouveau riche martial arts to have the final say, and the local government has to cooperate unconditionally.

The emperor's decree, as well as the official documents of the Sichuan Preparation Division and the Lizhou West Road Pacification Division, they had no choice but to comply.

"Chen Xianggong, Jia Xianggong, have already inspected the cities and passes on Lizhou West Road. In my opinion, it is better to repair the big city first. Now there is no war in Song and Jin, and once the Tatar army invades, the local fortress defense is insufficient, so it can only be abandoned. Therefore, small and medium-sized forts should not be repaired for the time being. ”

Cao Youwen was silent for a moment and told the truth.

The three passes and five prefectures are almost all military cities, and repairing and expanding the big cities and concentrating them in one place is also conducive to the garrison of the officers and soldiers. The Tatar army came and went like the wind, and the small and medium-sized fortresses could not withstand the opponent's attack at all, and the repair was also in vain, so it was better to give up.

"General Cao, is this His Majesty's will?"

Chen Yu and Jia Zikun glanced at each other, and Chen Yu asked subconsciously.

The emperor only said that he would repair the border defense of Sanguan and Wuzhou, but did not say that he would only build big cities and not forts.

And that Tatar army, there are no shadows, they will come to invade?

"The two ministers, this is the idea of the next, and the next step will be to step up the repair of the danger of the big cities in Sanguan and Wuzhou. A few days ago, His Majesty was made clear, and His Majesty will soon come to inspect the Shukou defense line, and I believe that His Majesty will make a decision. ”

"That's it! Is that! ”

Chen Yu and Jia Zikun nodded again and again.

Cao Youwen was thoughtful, not to mention those forts, even if it was the county seat of Liting, I am afraid that it would not be able to withstand the impact of the army.

The military has the final say on major repairs. Now, they can only cooperate with Cao Youwen, the local government provides labor, the military provides cement and some sergeants, and first repairs and expands the city.