After the three of them sat down, Zhao Zhan picked off a peony carved from bloodstone and played with it in his hand and said with a smile: "The two Aiqing were arguing to come to see me two days ago, I don't know what the so-called thing is?"

Qin Zhonghui smiled, he glanced at Jiang Qinzhou and said, "Still... I also bothered Jiang Shumi to say first. ”

Jiang Qinzhou was slightly stunned, and then smiled: "Your Majesty, in recent days, the Liao people in Beimang have started to make trouble again. ”

Zhao Zhen said lightly: "Then beat them, my Great Song Dynasty has suffered a loss, is it possible to suffer a second loss in the hands of the Liao people." ”

Jiang Qinzhou hurriedly said: "My Great Song Jiangshan now has His Majesty in charge, of course I will not be afraid of the Liao people." But ......"

"But what?"

Jiang Qinzhou replied when he heard this: "Han Yu once said in the Tang Dynasty that the so-called Maxima is not full of food and strength, and its beauty cannot be revealed. Now all the soldiers of my Great Song Dynasty are warriors who are unruly, but if they lack food and salary, I am afraid they will not be able to fight for a long time. ”

Zhao Zhen threw the bloodstone peony on the ground and said, "Jiang Qing's family thinks it's a little cold in this palace?"

Jiang Qinzhou pondered the purpose of Zhao Zhen's words for a long time, and after being silent for a moment, he smiled and said: "It's very warm in this palace, and Weichen doesn't feel cold. ”

Zhao Zhen smiled and said lightly: "Jiang Qing's family, don't commit the crime of bullying the king." ”

Jiang Qinzhou's eyes showed a little panic, and he changed his words: "It's indeed a little cold in this palace. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded with satisfaction when he heard this: "It's cool, I don't know what's going on these days, charcoal has begun to burn in the palace." Although we have temporarily lost Beimang, we can't shorten the coal burning in the palace. Later, when I asked a harem concubine, I realized that there was a shortage of silver in this palace. Jiang Qing's family, you say, let me get you the silver from somewhere. Besides, not long ago, didn't I just allocate silver to Qin Aiqing in the silver treasury as military expenses?"

When Qin Zhonghui heard this, he said: "Back to Your Majesty, that silver is not a military salary, but a reward for the king of Shuzhong." Your Majesty's decree was written in blood. ”

Zhao Zhen patted his head and smiled: "Yes, I remember." Qin Aiqing, you are in charge of the government affairs of the DPRK and China, and you are in charge of the finances of the three divisions, and there is a shortage of money here, so you should make up your mind. ”

Qin Zhonghui said with a smile: "The old minister has a proposal to report to His Majesty. ”

"Tell me about it. ”

Qin Zhonghui continued: "Since the Shang and Zhou dynasties, all dynasties have adhered to the four characters of communication. In that year, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions to communicate with the countries of the desert, which not only filled the treasury of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, but also made the prestige of the Han Dynasty far away in the Western Regions. But now there is a wolf summer blocking in the west, and Weichen's hand can't pass. But outside the southern border of our Great Song Dynasty, there are also sixteen countries rich in gold, silver and gemstones. These sixteen kingdoms are located in the wilderness, and the people are still unenlightened, but they are very admired for the fine porcelain, wooden utensils, and gorgeous brocade silk of our Great Song Dynasty. Why don't Your Majesty communicate with the sixteen countries of the Southern Regions, this move can not only solve the urgent needs of our Great Song Dynasty, but also bless future generations. ”

Zhao Zhen frowned after hearing this: "As Qin Aiqing said, the wisdom of the sixteen people in the Southern Regions has not yet opened, and they are very moody. The war and peace talks with my Great Song Dynasty have been repeated many times. In the past, there was the king of Shuzhong, and they could still be suppressed, but now that the emperor's uncle has passed away, it is unknown whether there will be a war with them, and how can they communicate with each other. ”

Qin Zhonghui smiled and said: "Your Majesty doesn't have to worry, there is no need to say much about the merits of the king of Shuzhong, but is there a possibility, the sixteen countries of the Southern Regions did not want to fight, but some soldiers under the king of Shu did not listen to discipline and provoked the sixteen countries of the southern regions without authorization, and most of the people in the sixteen countries of the southern regions were barbaric, and there was friction between the coming and going, and finally it turned into a war that lasted for more than ten years." And now the death of the king of Shu is not necessarily an opportunity to negotiate peace with the sixteen countries of the Southern Regions. ”

After hearing this, Zhao Zhan looked at Jiang Qinzhou and said, "What does Jiang Qing's family want?"

Jiang Qinzhou replied: "Wechen has accelerated the speed to station troops at the southern border, if there is really a commotion in the sixteen countries of the Southern Regions, Wechen will definitely suppress it immediately." ”

Zhao Zhen bowed slightly: "Qin Aiqing, if you really start a trade with the Sixteen Kingdoms of the Southern Regions, will the soldiers' military salaries be solved?"

Qin Zhonghui smiled and said, "Back to Your Majesty, this is natural. Not only can the military salaries of the soldiers be solved, but even the floods in the states and the expenses required by His Majesty to build a palace in Minzhou have all been settled. ”

Zhao Zhen was silent for a moment and then got up and said: "This matter, the two Aiqing will discuss it, before the first day of the next new year, I will go to inspect the treasury, I not only hope to see the great country, but also hope to see the gold and silver mountains." ”

"Wechen obeyed. ”

When he returned to the mansion, Jiang Qinzhou found that Duan Qingliu had been waiting for a long time. As soon as Duan Qingliu saw Jiang Qinzhou, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong with that?"

Jiang Qinzhou said with a gloomy face: "Go to the house and say." ”

After listening to Jiang Qinzhou's Jiang out of the palace, Duan Qingliu's brows were twisted together and he couldn't open it.

Jiang Qinzhou said lightly: "Qin Xiang didn't say it himself, but let me start this." To put it nicely, it's called throwing bricks and attracting jade. To put it mildly, this is called a disaster to the east. ”

Duan Qingliu said in a deep voice: "No, as soon as you open your mouth first, the matter with Nantong Business will become the lead because you want to ask for military salaries." If this matter is done, it is easy to say, if it is not successful, then His Majesty will definitely ask you, and Qin Xiang can hang it up without caring about himself. ”

Jiang Qinzhou closed his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of turbidity: "Qingliu, you will invite Master Du, Lord Wu, and Master Pu later." I see, this matter has started tightly, and I don't know how many troubles will follow. ”

Duan Qingliu stood up after hearing this, and he said, "You have a good rest, I'll go and invite them over now." ”

When Duan Qingliu left, Jiang Qinzhou said to himself: "The eternal night has come. ”

......

......

On the land of Beimang, the wind and snow are urgent.

This cold wind and snow is like a blade flying in the air, hitting people's faces, and it hurts life. I just saw that in the wind and snow, there were two people wearing felt hats, wrapping around their necks, wrapped in big swords, and moving forward against the wind and snow. Not far in front of the two of them stood a crumbling and dilapidated tavern.

When they came to the tavern, they saw two black horses munching hay on a leash outside the tavern. After the two entered the tavern, they saw two tightly wrapped men in the corner of the wall, who were bowing their heads with a pot of cabbage stew and pulling dry rice. The two didn't pay much attention to it, so they took off their hats and untied their scarves.

Just look at these two people are two familiar faces, a man and a woman, one is the cloud tower, and the other is the water protector. The shopkeeper with a bruised face rubbed his red nose and beckoned him from behind the counter: "What do the two guest officers want?"

Duan Yunlou said lightly: "Meat, as well as spirits to warm your body." ”

"Well, I'll go and prepare it for the two guest officers. ”

When the whirring wind blew into the tavern through the broken window, it turned into a whimpering flute, terrible and terrifying. After Duan Yunlou sat down, he couldn't help but wrap his neck again.

The Water Protector smiled and said, "If you are afraid of the cold, then put on my clothes as well, and I will not be in the way." ”

Duan Yunlou smiled: "You don't get in the way, I still think it's in the way." ”

After hearing this, the Water Protector sighed lightly: "If it is normal, I can still talk to you a few more words." But now, knowing that the helmsman is dead, I don't have that mind. Like a person like the chief helmsman, how can he just leave? ”

Duan Yunlou's expression also showed a little sadness, but the sound of snoring and eating behind her from time to time pulled her out of this sad emotion.

The Water Protector continued: "You say, since the chief helmsman is dead, who is going to convene the general meeting of the three helms?"

Duan Yunlou said lightly: "There are no two situations, one is Mei Huangyu, he has long had the intention of being the chief helmsman, and now that the prince is dead, his opportunity will come." Secondly, it is the next generation of the chief helmsman of the twilight of the prince, you know the prince, he will not fight an unprepared battle at any time. ”

The Water Protector nodded, "I think so, but it doesn't have much to do with us. You said a long time ago that when you have the opportunity, you will take me to Lin'an to have a look, but this is about to arrive at the door, but it still didn't happen. ”

Duan Yunlou smiled: "Who said it has nothing to do with me." ”

Hearing this, the Water Protector was moved: "Could it be that you also want to fight for the position of the chief helmsman?"

Duan Yunlou asked rhetorically, "What, do you think I'm not qualified?"

The Water Protector smiled: "Of course you are qualified, but I don't think we need to wade in this muddy water, this time, it's not child's play." In order to compete for power and profit, some people in the helm do everything. Especially the master of Mei Helm, who is especially ruthless. In addition, his cultivation is outstanding, and the position of the chief helmsman is his. If you fight with him, it is tantamount to a sheep falling into the mouth of a tiger. ”

Duan Yunlou sneered when he heard this: "Who said that I was going to fight with Mei Huangyu." ”

Seeing Duan Yunlou's mysterious and unpredictable appearance, the water protector wanted to get to the bottom of it. But at this time, Yunlou didn't care about him anymore. After a short while, the wine and meat came up.

After Duan Yunlou and the others filled their stomachs first, and warmed themselves with spirits, they settled the account and prepared to leave. But when he was about to leave the tavern, Duan Yunlou turned back again, and he threw a silver ingot on the table of the two men who were bored eating and said, "I requisitioned your horse." With that, she didn't care whether they agreed or not, and strode out of the tavern. Immediately, two roars of fierce horses could be heard.

A man who was eating looked up and said, "Childe, just let her ride our horse away?"

"If you want to ride that, you will ride away, and you will not return the money. ”

"In this wilderness, it's not easy to get a horse again, if we go to that Five Pillars Peak, won't we freeze our legs?"

"Then let's go slowly, go later, maybe we can still watch a good show." With that, the boy raised his head, and he brushed away the hair that was scattered in front of his face, revealing his true face. Unexpectedly, this person turned out to be Dong Ping. And the person sitting across from him was Lin Sanchuan. Let's say that after Dong Ping finished the funeral for Zhao Qingting and Ruan Qingyu, he rushed to Beimang with Lin Sanchuan non-stop.

Dong Ping smiled and said, "It's a coincidence that I was able to meet them here." ”

Lin Sanchuan shook his head and said, "If you meet them, it will be no good thing." ”

"Seon is not blessed. ”

Dong Ping drank the hot soup in the bowl and got up and said, "Shopkeeper, the silver is on the table." ”

The shopkeeper smiled when he heard this: "I know ......"

As soon as he said this, he froze in place as if he had been immobilized. Seeing this, Lin Sanchuan realized that something was wrong, and he immediately pulled out a short knife from his waist. Dong Ping looked around, and he said, "Don't be nervous, it should be the person who connects you." With that, he walked out of the tavern. At this time, there were three people standing outside the tavern, two of them wearing ink-colored coats and masks splashed with oil paint. And in the middle of them sat a listless young man with a hat on his head.

"The two of you are the new Ten Guards?"

Hearing this, the two suddenly knelt down. One of them said in a deep male voice: "Hundred ghosts Han Taizhong and Da Nightmare Gong Rui, meet the master of the horse." ”

Dong Ping nodded when he heard this: "I have heard Yu Nanyun say about you, and you are worthy of being the prince's henchman." The other six are not already ...... Who's that?"

Han Taizhong said lightly: "This person's name is Cheng Jinqiu, and now there are only four guards left in the new ten guards, and his subordinates are ready to absorb this person into the new cover." ”

"Understood. Let's go, go to the Five Pillars Peak. ”

In the corner of Beimangzhou, there are several mountains that are particularly peculiar. Perhaps these are not called mountains, but these are five stone pillars about 100 zhang high. Five towering stone pillars are erected side by side, and the people of the time call it the five-pillar peak. Someone once said that these five stone pillars were the artifacts of the ancients. But now, the artifact has been reduced to a meeting place for the Clans.

At the bottom of the five-pillar peak, there is a bright underground stone cave, and the stone cave is called Leng Toad Palace. At this time, many people of the Cover tribe have gathered in the stone cave, and the people of the Five Elements Rudder, the Three Thousand Rudder and the Kaishan Rudder have all gathered here today.

Mei Huangyu's golden robe, under the reflection of the chaotic snow, looked more and more domineering. He stretched out his hand and caught the falling snowflakes: "I thought God would rest, but I didn't think about it, he became more and more diligent." I hate snow, it looks like it's above board, but it's a silent job. ”

Wei Li stood behind Mei Huangyu with a jade flute in his hand, and he also caught a piece of snow: "Don't you think that Lord Mei Helm thinks that this snow is the white filial piety worn by God for the prince." ”

Mei Huangyu held the palm of his hand, and the snowflakes turned into a little water stain when they landed: "Lord Wei Helm, back then, the prince single-handedly pulled you and saved you from danger, and I did the same." You are a man of affection, I know. But today, we have to put our feelings aside. Someone wants to usurp the foundation that the prince has worked hard to build all his life, Lord Weirudder, what do you say we should do?"

Wei Li smiled and said: "It's yours with Mei Helm, then no one can snatch it, but if it's not yours, you can't grab it." ”

"The Lord of the Guardian is well aware of this. ”

"After all, there have been lessons. ”

Wei Li suddenly laughed at himself, and laughed a little miserably.

Mei Huangyu shook her head and said, "If the prince gives you the position of chief helmsman, then I will never say a word." After all, the prince is cultivating you as a successor. ”

Wei Li said lightly: "The reason why Lord Mei Helm said this is because you feel in your heart that I, Wei Li, have no chance of being the helmsman throne. ”

Mei Huangyu smiled and said, "The Lord of the Guardian is really fast,"

"It's not that I'm quick to talk, but that Lord Mei Helm is your temperament. ”

When Mei Huangyu heard this, her face was a little ugly. He said coldly: "Yes, the one who can inherit the throne of the chief helmsman is most likely the helmsman of the mountain." After all, he has served the prince all the year round, and he has helped the prince a lot in terms of money, so the prince should sell his personal favor and hand over the position of chief helmsman to him. ”

Wei Li smiled after hearing this: "The prince is not the kind of layman who likes to sell other people's favors in important decisions, and all the decisions he makes are the most appropriate. If he doesn't choose one of you and me to be the helmsman, then it means that neither you nor I are suitable. And I will resolutely uphold the prince's last wishes. ”

Mei Huangyu frowned and said, "In this way, the Lord of the Guardian doesn't want to join forces with me?"

Wei Li smiled: "There is only one position of helmsman, even if I join forces with you, then you can only be the one who will be the chief helmsman in the end." Since I can't be the helmsman anyway, why don't I choose to help someone who has a better chance of winning?"

Mei Huangyu suddenly laughed, and when he laughed, the mountains trembled lightly, and the snowflakes went wild.

"The helmsman is right, there is only one seat for the helmsman. But I can promise you that if you help me to take the position of chief helmsman, then I will allow the three thousand helms to stand on their own. At that time, you, Willy, will be in the city of Jackdaws, choking the throat of the desert. Wouldn't it be happy that you could be the lord of a city without being controlled by anyone, or that you could recruit troops and make yourself king?"

Wei Li shook his head after hearing this: "The reason why the three thousand rudders are three thousand rudders is because the three thousand rudders are attached to the Fu clan, and they have the Kaishan rudder to provide information on the size of the rivers and lakes, and the five elements rudder to provide support at any time. More importantly, there is the prince behind the clan, and the prince can provide us with the protection of power and wealth. After all, I, Weili, am just a layman, and I love both power and wealth. What Lord Mei Helm said is certainly beautiful, but if my three thousand rudders break away from the Clan, it will be just a rabble. Don't say that it is the king of the land, and even whether Jackdaw City can keep it is unknown. Master Mei's deception of a three-year-old child will be kept for his subordinates. ”

"So, you can't talk about it?"

"It's not that we can't talk about it, it's that Lord Mei Helm didn't give me enough benefits to cooperate with you. And I advise Master Mei to dispel this wishful thinking of internal fighting and seizure of power, and listen to the instructions of the prince. Just like me, Lord Mei Helm, if you are other than the Helmsman of the Mountain, it will not do you any good yourself. Without the intelligence and financial support of the pioneer, what can you do with Mei Huangyu?"

Mei Huangyu chuckled: "What to do? What the prince can do, how can I not do it? Now that the rivers and lakes of Beimang are in chaos, according to my five elements rudder entrenched in Beimang for many years, how can I not get a piece of the pie in this troubled world." ”