Xiangyang.

Jumping up from his seat, Lu Wende had an unbelievable look on his face, and his eyes were fixed on Lu Shikui: "You mean, a large number of Huaxia troops have been found to be in and out of Junzhou?"

"Father, it is true. ”

Lu Shikui felt that the atmosphere became tense, so frightened that he even stammered a little when he spoke: "In order to prevent fakes, I also deliberately disguised my identity and ran to Junzhou, and I did find that the number of trains has increased a lot in the near future." On top of that, I also found out that the Najunju shipyard began to refit many steam steamers. ”

Until now, he couldn't believe what he had seen, knowing that before this, Najunzhou had been calm and normal, and nothing else had happened.

Lu Wende sat down again and continued to ask: "Then have you ever asked Zhang Wei? He is the governor of Junzhou, so it is impossible not to know." ”

The child also asked, but Zhang Wei always refused to meet on the grounds that he was busy with official business. Lu Shikui replied.

In order to understand the situation in Junzhou, Lu Shikui has always maintained considerable contact with Zhang Wei, and the two can be said to be good friends who have nothing to say.

In this short period of time, Lu Shikui witnessed the development of Junzhou, from a small dilapidated earthen city at the beginning, to a huge city with a population of more than 300,000 miles in a radius of more than ten miles, all of which were brought by the railway, and the most important thing is that Zhang Wei also established a shipyard in Junzhou, and has a huge merchant ship with more than 1,000 steam ships.

It can be said that Lu Shikui witnessed the development of Junzhou, and therefore quickly discovered the changes in Junzhou.

Because he was worried that it would affect the future, Lu Shikui also hurriedly ran over and told his father what he knew.

"If that's the case, then what does the Huaxia Army mean? Could it be that they want to attack Xiangyang?" The more Lu Wende thought about it, the more frightened he became, and he felt that he couldn't sit still.

He instructed Lu Shikui: "You go and call Chang Shan, just say that I have something important to look for him, do you know?"

The Chang Shan mentioned by Lu Wende is his cousin Lu Wenhuan, the two have been playmates who have been fishing in the mountains and fishing together since they were children, and after joining the army, the two relied on each other and made great achievements. Although today's Lu Wenhuan is not as rich as Lu Wende and was named the Duke of Chongguo, he was also awarded the deputy envoy of Xiangyang Mansion and Jingxi to pacify Xiangfan, replacing Cheng Dayuan to guard Xiangfan, and he is the second-in-command in Xiangyang.

For many things, Lu Wende also has to consider Lu Wenhuan's opinion.

"Father. I see, I'll go. Lu Shikui turned around and left, hurriedly looking for Lu Wenhuan.

It's a pity that Lu Wenhuan is not in the mansion at this moment, which made Lu Shikui spend a lot of time and ask many people before he found Lu Wenhuan in the Rongchang opened in Xiangyang and Junzhou.

At this time, Lu Wenhuan was standing in front of a shop at the moment, as if he was talking to the boss, and a dozen or so guards lined up behind him, separating the shop from the customer.

When the merchants in the surrounding shops saw it, they were all breathless, for fear that if they were not careful, they would offend such a general with real power.

"Uncle. Why did you get here? But I'm tired and I'm looking for it. ”

Finally saw Lu Wenhuan, and Lu Shikui ran over out of breath.

Only then did Lu Wenhuan notice Lu Shikui, and the guards next to him also moved out of the way, allowing Lu Shikui to come to Lu Wenhuan's side.

At this time, Lu Wenhuan was still playing with an iron bowl in his hand, his eyes fell on Lu Shikui, and he replied a little unwillingly: "Didn't I come to see how the business of the city was? Otherwise, where would the food for the soldiers in the city come from?"

Through the trade with Chang'an, Xiangyang's economy is also a thousand miles a day, and the income of this field accounts for more than 20% of Xiangyang's income, and now it is time for the autumn harvest, so Lu Wenhuan went here to see how the tax situation is.

"Not this one. It's mainly my father who asked me to come to you! ”

Lu Wenhuan didn't explain, and hurriedly stretched out his hand, wanting to grab Lu Wenhuan's hand.

Lu Wenhuan shook it slightly, avoided Lu Shikui's hand, and continued to ask: "This is quite unusual! You must know that my brother used to come to me in person, why did he let you come today? If there is anything, just say no here?"

"I'm sorry uncle, this matter is confidential, and you can't let anyone else know. ”

Lu Shikui was about to explain, but when he saw the curious eyes of the people around him, he immediately closed his mouth.

If these people knew about the movements in Junzhou, they didn't know how many things would happen.

Lu Wenhuan smiled softly, but there was a bit of displeasure in his words: "So my brother asked you to come and run, just to let me pass?

"Well, uncle, you'll find out if you go with me. Lu Shikui persuaded hard.

If you haven't completed the task assigned by your father, you will inevitably be scolded!

Only then did Lu Wenhuan throw aside the iron bowl in his hand and replied, "Okay, I'll go back with you." I'd like to see what makes you and your father so nervous?" Then he turned to the boss and said, "You don't have to pay less taxes, you know? ”

The shopkeeper was naturally submissive and hurriedly responded.

Lu Shikui frowned secretly, but he didn't dare to interject, the salaries of the soldiers in the city were not a small amount, and if they didn't have the offerings of these merchants, they wouldn't be able to sustain themselves.

The two joined forces and came to Lu Wende's mansion together.

Seeing that Lu Wenhuan finally came, Lu Wende couldn't help but feel a little angry, and shouted, "Why are you only here now?"

He asked Lu Shikui to find someone in the morning, but it took a full hour for Lu Wenhuan to arrive, and this speed was really too low.

"Wasn't I busy collecting taxes? Lu Wende didn't care, and asked rhetorically: "It's just brother, what are you looking for me for?" Others may not dare to have such an attitude, but Lu Wenhuan has never obeyed the rules of his superiors and subordinates by relying on his cousin's identity.

"Alas. You!"

Lu Wende was worried, although he wanted to blame, but finally he didn't say anything, but just said: "Do you know about the recent movements in Junzhou?"

"Junzhou, what are they doing?" Lu Wenhuan's expression was still dazed, obviously not knowing about it.

Lu Shikui said: "Just yesterday, I saw with my own eyes more than a dozen trains in an endless stream, sending a total of 5,000 soldiers to Junzhou. These soldiers were all loaded with guns and ammunition, and the uniforms they were wearing were all from the Central Guard. ”

"That's it?" Lu Wenhuan snorted lightly, not paying much attention.

Lu Wende reproached: "Isn't this matter worthy of vigilance? You must know that in the past, there had never been such a movement in Junzhou. ”

After all, this Huaxia Army is different from us, and in order to prevent the local forces from growing, they will change shifts every three years. Alas, if it weren't for the train, where would it be so easy? Lu Wenhuan pursed his lips, surprised by the shocked looks of the two, as if the two of them had reacted too much.

Lu Wende's brows furrowed even tighter, and he persuaded again: "Little Liuzi." You should know that although there was a garrison in Najunzhou, the number of troops had never exceeded 3,000, but today 5,000 suddenly came, don't you be surprised? ”

"That's it?"

Lu Wenhuan snorted lightly, still so disdainful: "It's just changed from 3,000 to 5,000, what's the point of concern? And you also know that just five years ago, the population of Junzhou did not exceed 100,000." But now the permanent population of Junzhou is more than 200,000, considering this, Chang'an should also increase the garrison. After all, if there are more people, there will naturally be more garrisons. ”

"Tsuneyama!"

Lu Wende couldn't bear it anymore after all, and shouted: "Why do you have such an attitude? Don't forget, we are the defenders of Xiangyang, and we are all the people guarding the rivers and mountains, how can we be so slack? Maybe in your opinion, this is just an ordinary thing, but since Chang'an can transfer 5,000 men and horses here today, then tomorrow we will be able to garrison 10,000 people here." If they call, how can we sustain it?"

"So what? Shall we also compete against each other and raise the garrison as well?"

Lu Wenhuan snorted lightly and said disdainfully: "Don't forget, we only have 30,000 people in Xiangyang. And if it can really come in handy, there are only about 10,000 people. With such a small number of troops, how can you confront the Huaxia Army?"

"Sure enough. You say that, could it be that you were bought by the Huaxia army?" Lu Wende's eyes widened, revealing anger.

Lu Wenhuan's body shook, his lips pursed, although he didn't explain, it also showed that he did have some contact with the Huaxia Army in the four places.

Lu Wende shook his head again and again, his eyes full of chagrin and remorse: "You, why did you do such a thing? Do you forget that we are the courtiers of the Great Song Dynasty, how can we be willing to fall?"

"So what? I'm not like this, do you think we can gain a foothold in this Xiangyang?

Lu Wende couldn't believe it, Lu Wenhuan didn't talk back to himself like this before: "You, you actually said such a thing? Are you still my Great Song courtier? Seriously, I really start to regret opening the field in the first place, otherwise how could I make you like this." ”

"It's a pity it's too late. ”

Lu Wenhuan didn't feel that he had done anything wrong, but persuaded Lu Wende: "And brother, you have also seen Na Jia seem to be perverse, I don't know how many people have been driven away." If he continues to play like this, the entire Lin'an will collapse sooner or later, so it is better to prepare the back road for us in advance. ”