The Moon Over Tang Dynasty Chapter 247

Chapter 247: Long-term planning after six years of separation

As soon as the sun passed high in the sky, a news spread rapidly in Xizhou City: Anxi Dadu escorted the army and led 500 cavalry to the outside of the city. This incident came so suddenly. Thinking of the documents issued by the Governor's Mansion the previous day, many people suddenly started to feel a little nervous.

 It was not until the sun set in the west that this group of elite soldiers entered the city unhurriedly. In the flat area of ​​the river valley outside the city, a neat tent has been set up. The horses are in the tents, and the wooden fence is the wall. The tents are neat and orderly. There were no more than a hundred elite soldiers entering the city. Even though they had removed their armor, bows and arrows, their solemn and fierce look was still eye-catching. The person in charge was none other than Su Shenjun, who had been to Xizhou six years ago, and was now the son of the new Anxi Protector-General.

Su Nanjin was originally tall and fatter than six years ago. She must have been on the road for days, and her face was not very good. Fortunately, she was wearing a military uniform and had a stern look. She was quite imposing when walking in front of such a group of elite soldiers. . The middle-aged man behind him dressed as a civil servant was thin and withered. Walking with him, not only was most of his figure covered, but his appearance was extremely inconspicuous.

Qu Zhizhan, along with Qu Chongyu and several Xizhou officials, had already been waiting at the gate of the Governor's Mansion. When he saw Su Nanjin, he took two steps forward with a smile. Before he could speak, Su Nanjin had already stood up and bowed solemnly, " Su Nanjin has met Governor Qu!"

Qu Zhizhan smiled quickly and supported him, "Master Su, why do you need to be so polite? You are here to supervise the food supply on behalf of the Protector. I would like to thank you for your kindness and hard work."

Su Nanjin raised her head, with an exceptionally peaceful smile on her face, "The Commander-in-Chief is too polite. How dare I use the word 'Grain Controller' as a subordinate? It's just that the coordination of military resources is complicated, so the Protector-General specially sent a subordinate to listen to the Commander-in-Chief's dispatch." If there is a situation in the military towns of various states that refuses to obey the governor's dispatch and delays the task, the troops and horses led by the subordinates can share the worries of the governor; secondly, the time is tight to raise military resources this time, and the governor must fully coordinate the transportation and dispatch. I just hope that I will not think that I am stupid."

Long before Su Nanjin entered the city, Chief Lu, who was accompanying the army, came to report once, and sent Su Haizheng's handwriting and military orders to Qu Zhizhan, explaining Su Nanjin's responsibilities. However, he said it politely, and Qu Zhizhan Shao Zhan had to say another polite word about "what you want".

Behind Su Nanjin, Master Lu also took a step forward, bowed and said, "I have seen the governor before."

 Qu Zhizhan had just dealt with him, nodded and smiled, "Why is Master Lu so polite? Mr. Su, Master Lu, please come in."

Su Nanjin also looked at Qu Chongyu, crossed his arms and smiled, "Prince Qu, long time no see! The prince's demeanor is as good as ever, I'm so happy to congratulate you!"

Qu Chongyu bowed slightly and said, "Not as generous as Ziyu, but still better than before."

 The two looked at each other and smiled, as if they were friends they had not seen for many years.

When he entered the main room of the Governor's Mansion, Su Nanjin sat down under Qu Zhizhan and glanced at him, "I don't see Pei Changshi today."

Qu Zhizhan was in weak health, and after walking all the way, he felt a little breathless. Qu Chongyu smiled and said, "Pei Changshi has been busy collecting grain these days. He went outside the city yesterday afternoon and said he would not be back until tomorrow. . He didn't know Mr. Su would come today, otherwise he would have stayed in the city.”

Su Nanjin smiled apologetically, but there was a bit more genuine happiness in her eyes, "There was not much time to collect grain this time. After Nanjin received the military order, he came here day and night. He didn't send anyone to inform the governor in advance that it was Nanjin. Jin is presumptuous.”

 Qu Zhizhan then smiled and said "Thank you".

Su Nanjin shook his head and said, "Responsibility is what it is, not to mention hard work." His face became solemn again, "But I don't know if the preparation of military resources has already begun?"

Qu Chongyu smiled and said, "Ziyu, don't worry, the notice to collect grain from the three prefectures and four towns of Anxi and the various governorates was sent out immediately yesterday. Because the land involved in this grain collection is too wide, if you go one by one It will be transported to Xizhou and then transferred to the army. Therefore, the governor ordered the local governments to collect the grain and transport it directly to the military warehouse of the governor, and the army would directly count the amount. "

Su Nanjin was startled, glanced at Master Lu, and nodded, "That's quite appropriate. I dare to ask the prince, how does the governor distribute these two hundred thousand stones of food and grass?"

Qu Chongyu was well prepared and took out two documents from his sleeves. An attendant stepped forward to take them and put them into Su Nanjin's hands. Su Nanjin hurriedly took a closer look and saw that the first document was a food requisition document sent to various places. It clearly stated that this time the Metropolitan Guard led troops to attack the Qiuci rebels, and a total of 200,000 shi of food and silk were collected. 20,000 Duan, 10,000 cold jackets, Yizhou and Tingzhou each levied 20,000 shi, Qiuci, Shule, Yutian, Yanqi and other four military towns each levied 5,000 dan, and more than a dozen military governors levied grain according to their size. It ranges from one thousand to two thousand.

The second one is the grain collection order of Xizhou, which orders all the people of Xizhou to collect grain by household, divided into nine grades. The upper households pay 15 shi, the upper and middle households pay 12 shi, and the upper and lower households pay 10 shi. The upper and middle households pay seven dan for grain, while the upper and lower households pay three dan for grain, and even the lower households pay one dan for grain. In addition, each household also pays a cold robe in addition to the lower household.

When Su Nanjin saw the first piece of paper, he couldn't help being surprised: According to this grain collection order, other state capitals in Xijiang could do nothing, but Xizhou had to receive nearly 130,000 shi and all the silk. Cloth and cold jacket, as a result, no one in those state capitals can say a word "no". When he saw the second picture, he felt that something was not quite right. Just when he was about to speak, Master Lu behind him smiled and said, "Prince Qu, I heard that there are less than 20,000 households in Xizhou, so I want to divide the households into nine classes in the Tang Dynasty." , usually more than half of them belong to the lower households. Although it is a lot, it seems that it is not enough to pay 120,000 stones. "

Qu Chongyu nodded and smiled, "Master Lu is right. If you pay this amount, you can get a total of more than 50,000 dan. This takes into account the more than 30% of households that do not pay rent on weekdays."

Su Nanjin suddenly raised his head, his eyes became very sharp, "There are still nearly 80,000 stones of grain and grass, and 20,000 pieces of cloth. How are the princes going to raise it?" Qu Chongyu said in a very calm tone, "Because the weather is not very good this autumn, in order to prevent next year's disaster Due to the drought, Pei Changshi had already managed to mobilize more than 50,000 shi of grain and grass, but he did not want to meet the urgent need of military rations. Now, the shortage is only more than 20,000 shi. In recent years, Xizhou has had some surplus from commercial taxes. For 20,000 pieces of cloth, the governor will also spend several thousand pieces of money to buy more than 20,000 pieces of grain and grass from wealthy households in Xizhou."

Su Nanjin was startled, then chuckled, "I've heard for a long time that Xizhou is rich, and it's indeed well-deserved!"

Qu Chongyu shook his head categorically, "I don't dare to be rich. That is to say, the weather has been good in the past few years, the situation in Western Xinjiang has been stable, and there is an endless flow of merchants, so the warehouse has some surplus. But it has also been filled in with all the accumulation over the years. I want to come to Western Xinjiang. The situation has been very stable for several years. After the governor took office, the young people will be more frightened by the news, so they will not continue to use the army year after year! Moreover, my father is old and weak, and he will not have to bear the responsibility of commanding the army every time he uses the army! Heavy responsibility!”

Su Nanjin's face changed slightly, and Master Lu behind him laughed, "Your Majesty, you really know how to joke. The situation in the Western Border is unpredictable. If we can be together after this battle, it will be a blessing for us. As for Governor Qu, it is said that those who are able work hard, let alone Xizhou, it is Xijiang. Who else can be as prestigious as the Governor?

Qu Chongyu glanced at him coldly, "Really? Those who can do more work. Chief Lu is the busiest today. I think I am a capable person. Why not let Chief Lu take charge of the food purchase?"

Master Lu smiled without changing his expression, "I've heard that the Crown Prince is funny for a long time, how can a young Master Lu take on such an important task? The Crown Prince is joking."

Qu Chongyu's expression did not soften at all, "Funny? How can Qu dare to compare with Master Lu? In this Western Xinjiang, Master Lu is probably the only one who can say that my father is in the prime of life, in good health, and has served the imperial court for many years." In terms of effectiveness, Mr. Lu's wit is unparalleled and I admire him very much!”

Master Lu's face finally lost his composure. Qu Zhizhan's face was pale and his movements were slow. However, after walking a few steps, he started panting. Of course, everyone saw it, but it was his father's business, and Qu Chongyu could do it. Catching one of his own words and ridiculing him like this... This person is not only difficult to deal with, but he also seems to have no scruples in what he says and does, just like the rumors say!

Qu Zhizhan hurriedly waved his hand, "Yulang, Master Lu is also kind-hearted." He smiled at Master Lu again and said, "Master, you don't know. My health has become worse and worse in the past few years. This is the Protectorate of the Palace. The main hall has not been open for several months, and Pei Changshi is now taking care of Xizhou's government affairs. If not, I would have reported my illness to the court long ago. However, this matter of raising food is too important, and I am really beyond my ability. That's it. If there is a next time, Qu will just write to the court and ask for mercy."

When Su Nanjin heard that Xizhou had prepared 50,000 stones of food and grass, he felt a little confused. After hearing this, his face couldn't help but become even more gloomy. Just as he was about to speak, he felt Director Lu touching him behind him, and he felt a shiver in his heart. He stood up and hugged his hands and saluted, "Thank you for your hard work, Commander! Please take more rest and recuperate your energy. Although the plan for raising food this time has begun, it still requires the Commander to be in charge. Nan Jin has been disturbing you a lot today, so this is Resign."

Qu Zhizhan smiled and said, "I'm sitting in the house, what's the point of hard work? Mr. Su has been busy all the way and needs to rest early. If there is something to do, he will come to the mansion tomorrow to discuss something. Yulang has arranged a residence for the young master. I hope he will not find it too shabby. "

Su Nanjin smiled and thanked her hurriedly, bid farewell to Qu Zhizhan politely, and followed Qu Chongyu to a large courtyard next to the Xizhou school grounds. I saw that there was a small courtyard inside, and a few rows of barracks outside, which could accommodate more than a hundred people. It was obvious that Qu Chongyu learned the news in the afternoon and vacated the best military base of the Xizhou garrison. The things inside have been tidied up and are actually very neat. Qu Chongyu said in an understatement, "This place is too simple. But since Ziyu wants to live with the sergeant, he can only live here for the time being. I will look for a suitable place tomorrow."

Su Nanjin sent Qu Chongyu to the door without even saying a word, and then strode back to the inner courtyard. His face completely darkened, and his voice was filled with chills, "Pei Xingjian is so fast! In this way, our Most of the plans have failed!"

Master Lu pondered for a moment and shook his head, "Master, don't be anxious, this matter may not go as they wish!"

Su Nanjin sneered and said, "Not necessarily? Didn't we check the bottom before we came here? Considering Xizhou's abundant harvest in recent years, it may be difficult to harvest one hundred thousand stones. It's just that there is no way to harvest more than fifty thousand stones of grain and grass! With Pei Xingjian and Qu Yulang's method, they say they want to buy grain, but who dares not to sell it? "

Master Lu still shook his head slightly, "Even so, we can't get into trouble. There are still a month or two left, and some things should be considered in the long run."

Su Nanjin snorted with a gloomy face, but Chief Lu was his father's most effective adviser. He didn't dare to refute it too much. He just kept busy cleaning the room and placing the luggage.

In a blink of an eye, it was time to light the lanterns, and the Duhufu sent dinner over. Su Nanjin was not interested in eating and had a few random bites. As soon as she put down the bamboo chopsticks, she saw the door curtain lifted and a figure swept in like the wind.

He was startled, and just as he was about to reprimand him, he saw Chief Lu standing in front of him with a bright face, and what he held in his hand was clearly a greeting card.

   I'm an hour late, I'm very sorry. Just a few hundred more words, hehe. I'll update it tomorrow probably before 2pm, please pink - I'll add more if there are more than a dozen pictures left.

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end