The Moon Over Tang Dynasty Chapter 248

Chapter 248: Obliquely explaining the secret

Su Nanjin stood up suddenly, "Who wants to come over?"

An indescribable subtle smile appeared on Master Lu's face, "He is one of my disciples, a branch of the Zhang family in Dunhuang, and is now the county captain in Gaochang County. He will come here to see me early tomorrow morning. Please take a step forward, Master.”

Side branch, county lieutenant... Su Nanjin sat back again, her eyes slightly cold, "Is this such a person?" Who does this Lu Qingyan think of himself? A cat and a dog-like figure also needs to be entertained by himself?

Lu Qingyan was startled and shook his head secretly. The Su family and his son were indeed vulgar figures in the military, and they didn't know anything about the way these aristocratic families interacted! At that moment, he patiently explained, "Young master, I don't know. This post was handed to me privately by the soldier delivering dinner. The person who posted it is so inconspicuous, so naturally it has a lot of meaning."

"The protector ordered Xianguan to follow the young master this time because Xianguan lived in Xizhou ten years ago and had some connections here. At that time, Xianguan had mentored several disciples of the Zhang family, and this Gaochang County captain was exactly One of them. Sir, please think about it. Since he has the status of teacher and student, if he wants to see me, he can just go to my door tomorrow morning. Why go to all the trouble to send this greeting card? It can be seen that what he really wants to see is you. ! Moreover, since the Dunhuang Zhang family knew that the young master was coming and that there were subordinates following him, it was supposed that the head of the family would host a banquet for the young master, but they were beating around the bush like this, which showed that they had a big plan, so they had to be cautious and try more. , only then dare to bring the matter to light.”

Su Nanjin's expression softened slightly, but she couldn't help but frown and said, "In my opinion, sir, what is their intention in testing like this?"

Lu Qingyan thought for a moment before smiling and said, "Master, have you ever noticed the look of Commander Qu?"

Su Nanjin nodded. Of course he noticed it. Didn't Lu Qingyan eat Qu Chongyu's meal to steal his money? But what does this have to do with this matter? There was a hint of impatience in his tone, "It seems that Governor Qu is indeed ill. If we just call it an illness and let it go, there's probably nothing my father can do!"

Lu Qingyan shook his head, "Since Governor Qu has already issued the documents to requisition food, it is too late to complain about illness. I have heard from the lower official that Governor Qu has not been seen in public since the beginning of this year. If it continues to collapse like this, the high sects of Xizhou were originally attached to the Qu family. If the governor of Qu is both good and weak, please think about it, sir, who will the imperial court choose to be the governor of Xizhou? "

Su Nanjin perked up, frowned and thought for a moment, "It stands to reason that it's either Qu Chongyu or Pei Xingjian. It's just that it's hard to tell what happens in the imperial court, or whether someone else will be sent."

Lu Qingyan smiled and nodded, "From what I have seen, it seems that Pei Shouyue has a better chance of winning. I have heard that although Pei Shouyue comes from a well-known family, he is quite respectful of these Xizhou surnames. The staff around him , has never accepted a child from a wealthy family, and Qu Chongyu's temperament is very unruly and mean. The Dunhuang Zhang family was originally the head of the Xizhou high sect. If the officials expected it to be good, now they are probably looking for another backer. Got an idea!”

Su Nanjin pondered for a moment, then laughed coldly, "They understand that no matter who the imperial court appoints as the governor of Xizhou, Xizhou will eventually fall under the jurisdiction of the Anxi Protectorate. Now this time... is really good! It's wonderful. ! However, if they want to hide their prowess and please both sides, they are making the wrong move!"

Lu Qingyan twisted his beard and smiled, "Young Master really understands this."

Thinking of the grievances she had endured in Yizhou for the past few years, of being plotted against by Pei Xingjian, humiliated by the Kudis, and teased and deceived by Qu Chongyu like a fool, Su Nanjin slowly narrowed her eyes. He turned around and hugged his hands solemnly, "I hope you will give me your guidance on what Nanjin should do tomorrow!"

Lu Qingyan smiled and said, "I don't dare to take it seriously. The young master only needs to come over and say a word tomorrow morning, and everything will be done."

His voice was not high, but he spoke every word very clearly, "Young master, you might as well tell Captain Zhang that you are here in Xizhou not only to share the governor's worries, but also to guard against anyone trying to conquer him for his own reputation and political achievements. Military rations are difficult for good people, but you must know that a well-dressed man and a family of meritorious deeds are the pillars of the Western Frontier and the foundation of the Tang Dynasty!"

 Tomorrow night, the Zhang family's birthday party?

Qu Chongyu frowned slightly as he looked at the red and gold-colored post in his hand, "On my uncle's birthday, Chongyu was supposed to come to pay homage, but you know the current situation. I'm really busy these days. I hope Brother Zhang can say something nice in front of my uncle so that he won't be offended.”

Zhang Huaiji didn't seem surprised, he just smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you're welcome. It's true that this matter was rushed. My father is not celebrating his birthday this time, so he originally planned to hold a family banquet, because my mother is ill. Well, the fortune teller said that we should be happy, so we hastily decided on this matter. Don't worry, Prince, you are in charge of the important matter of raising food. My father is a sensible person and will not be demanding. "

Qu Chongyu smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhang." Then he lowered his head and flipped through the documents in front of him.

However, Zhang Huaiji seemed to have no intention of leaving. He gathered up the remaining seven or eight posts on hand and said with a smile, "When the documents for the food requisition came out the day before yesterday, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The army rations are in urgent need this time. It's nothing for us, well-dressed families, to produce some rice, but Xizhou is not as good as Yizhou and Tingzhou. The harvests in the past two years have been very good. In fact, each household can afford an extra three taels of stone. Wouldn't this be even more important? dependable?"

Qu Chongyu raised his head, still smiling on his face, but his eyes were a bit colder, "Anyone who joins the army should know that this collection of military rations has included all the grain and rice that Xizhou has saved over the years and Pei Changshi has purchased in the past two months. If everything is wiped out, there will be no food left in the homes of the common people in Xizhou. What if there is a drought or flood next year, or there will be a military tax? The government is paying a high price to make wine, so why not do it? Are we really waiting for natural disasters to make a fortune?"

Zhang Huaiji felt his chest suffocate and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you have really thought it through. I just asked casually. It seems that there is something unusual about the weather this year. I can say that the water will come next spring, but I don't know what will happen in the future... He looked at Qu Chongyu with a somewhat impatient expression, and said with a smile, "The prince is busy first. I just heard that Pei Changshi has returned to the Yamen, and the subordinate wants to go to his room. Although Changshi is just afraid." I can't spare the time, so it wouldn't be right if I don't give it away.”

Qu Chongyu's heart moved, "Really? I also have something to ask him for, why don't we go together?"

Zhang Huaiji was startled, but he laughed and said, "Your Majesty, please." He had not been in Xizhou City for two days. Four or five officials were already waiting in Pei Xingjian's house. When they saw Qu Chongyu and Zhang Huaiji, they all smiled hurriedly. Asked.

Pei Xingjian also put down the pen in his hand, looked at Qu Chongyu and nodded with a smile. Qu Chongyu raised his eyebrows lightly and sat down aside, "You go first."

The few officials waiting in the room were all discerning. They hurriedly picked up important matters and reported a few words. Just as they were about to leave, Zhang Huaiji hurriedly said, "Everyone, wait a moment." After saying that, he held up the post in his hands. It was delivered to Pei Xingjian, "It's my father's birthday. If Pei Changshi has time, please appreciate it."

Pei Xingjian took it and took a look, smiled and spread his hands, "Tomorrow? Let's see if we can join the army, but I look like I have time now? I really don't have time these days. How about you allow me to come and apologize another day?"

Zhang Huaiji also smiled and said, "I don't dare to take it. Changshi's official duties cannot be delayed. Why worry about trivial matters?" He turned around and sent several other posts to everyone in the room.

Most of the officials in the Xizhou government office are relatives and friends of several famous surnames, and they are related to each other. It is indispensable to say congratulations at this time. Some people said that they will definitely come to the door tomorrow to bother them, while others sighed and had to go outside the city later. Check the warehouse, we may not be able to rush back to Xizhou tomorrow. In the middle of the excitement, someone outside the house said, "Master Su is here."

The room suddenly fell silent, and Pei Xingjian's voice calmly rang out, "Please come in, Mr. Su."

He had just walked around the desk when the door curtain opened and Su Nanjin, dressed in military uniform, strode in. When he saw Pei Xingjian, he paused in his steps and turned his sharp eyes around Pei Xingjian's face, but he smiled and hugged his hands, " Keep your promise, I haven't seen you for many years, you are indeed very charming.”

Pei Xingjian returned the courtesy with a smile, "I don't dare to take it seriously. I've heard about Brother Ziyu's great friendship. I couldn't greet him from afar yesterday, so I ask Ziyu to forgive me." He extended his hand and said, "Brother Ziyu, Chief Lu, please sit down. "

Lu Qingyan, who was following Su Nanjin, had already cheered up, but when Pei Xingjian glanced at him with a smile, his heart still shivered. He hurriedly bowed and said with a smile, "I have seen Pei Changshi before."

Su Nanjin's eyes turned to Qu Chongyu's face, and his smile deepened, “Yu Lang is indeed here too.”

Qu Chongyu stood up slowly, "Didn't Ziyu come very quickly?"

Several Xizhou officials looked at each other, stepped forward to see the gift, and then hurriedly left. Only Zhang Huaiji took a few red posts, hesitated for a while, and then stepped forward and smiled at Lu Qingyan, "Brother Yousong, tomorrow It's my father's birthday, Mr. Su and Brother Yousong, if you have time, please appreciate it." After Su Nanjin and Lu Qingyan accepted the post, they said a few polite words that they would bother me if they had time, and then left with a smile. go.

Lu Qingyan's eyes turned to Pei Xingjian's hair crown and robe corners that were still slightly dusty. He nodded and smiled, "Pei Changshi is indeed very diligent. I think the raising of military rations will go smoothly."

Pei Xingjian smiled slightly and said, "Pei just went to a few counties to collect food for charity. How can he compare to Brother Ziyu and Master Lu running around at night with good intentions?"

Lu Qingyan couldn't help but paused and was about to laugh when Pei Xingjian changed the subject and said, "As for the army rations, Xizhou has already raised more than 50,000 shi in reserve. Now that the order to requisition has been issued, there are still more than 50,000 shi." The stone will be in the official warehouse of Xizhou within a month, and there are less than 30,000 stones left. Now there are some clues, and it will take a few days to get it. Ziyu doesn't have to worry too much. The remaining soldiers are only enough to defend the city, but I don't know where Ziyu will dispatch the troops for transporting food? "

Su Nanjin laughed dryly, "It seems that we are quite sure about keeping the promise. With your words, Su is naturally relieved! As for the strength of the troops to transport food, most of the governors have their own considerations, but they will still have to ask the guardian to Yue and Yulang can help me." Before Pei Xingjian could ask more, he glanced at Qu Chongyu again, "Yulang must have something to discuss with Yue, so I won't bother you anymore. If anything happens to you, just go to the courtyard to the west of the school grounds and find me." After saying that, he said no more, raised his hands and left.

Qu Chongyu's eyes fell on the fluttering curtain, he frowned, and after a long time he said, "What is Su Nanjin planning?"

There was still silence in the room. When Qu Chongyu looked back, he saw Pei Xingjian looking down at the red post in his hand in trance. He couldn't help but be a little surprised, "Is there something weird about this post?"

Pei Xingjian put down the post and smiled slowly, "I didn't find anything weird at first, but now that I've taken a closer look, I find it more and more interesting."

I will probably be able to update normally in the morning tomorrow, sigh...

 (End of this chapter)

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